New York-based comedian Rodney Dangerfield (1921-2004) is frequently credited for this joke:
“One time I went to a hotel. I asked the bellhop to handle my bag. He felt up my wife!”
The popular Dangerfield joke has been cited in print since at least 1992, when it was on the newsgroup rec.humor.
Wikipedia: Rodney Dangerfield
Rodney Dangerfield (born Jacob Rodney Cohen, November 22, 1921 – October 5, 2004) was an American stand-up comedian and actor, known for the catchphrase “I don’t get no respect!” and his monologues on that theme. He is also remembered for his 1980s film roles, especially in Easy Money, Caddyshack, and Back to School.
Google Groups: rec.humor
No respect
Jabir Hussain
4/30/92
(...)
One time I went into a hotel; I asked the bellhop to handle my bag - he felt up my wife!
Google Groups: rec.humor
“I Don’t Get No Respect…”
J Frier
4/7/95
(...)
One time I went to a hotel. I asked the bellhop to handle my bag. He felt up my wife!
Google Groups: rec.humor
Rodney Dangerfield
Bobby H
4/17/96
A couple of Rodney’s:
“One time I went to a hotel. I asked the bellhop to handle my bag. He felt up my wife!”
Google Books
Man Walks into a Bar:
Over 6,000 of the Most Hilarious Jokes, Funniest Insults and Gut-Busting One-Liners
By Stephen Arnott and Mike Haskins
Berkeley, CA: Ulysses Press
2007
Pg. ?:
“One time I went to a hotel. I asked the bellhop to handle my bag. He felt up my wife!”
Rodney Dangerfield
Google Books
The Biggest Joke Book Ever
By Jack Jacoby
Victoria, BC: Trafford Publishing
2012
Pg. 1055 (Rodney Dangerfield):
One time I went to a hotel. I asked the bellhop to handle my bag. He felt up my wife.
Twitter
Jewish Comedians
@JewishComedians
Rodney Dangerfield: One time my wife and I went to a hotel. I asked the bellhop to handle my bag. He felt up my wife. | #Quotes
10:23 PM - 5 Dec 2015
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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