“I backed a horse last week at ten to one. It came in at quarter past four”—the first numbers are odds, but the second numbers are a time (it took the horse over three hours to run the track)—was voted on the the top 50 jokes of all time in October 2010. The joke has been credited to British prop comedian Tommy Cooper (1921-1984), but earlier citations are needed to confirm this.
Wikipedia: Tommy Cooper
Thomas Frederick Cooper (19 March 1921 – 15 April 1984) was a British prop comedian and magician. He was a member of the Magic Circle, and was respected by traditional magicians. He habitually wore a red fez, and his appearance was large and lumbering, at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and more than 15 stone (210 lb; 95 kg) in weight.
The Telegraph (London, UK)
Tommy Cooper dominates list of best jokes
Heard the one about two aerials meeting on a roof, falling in love, and getting married? The ceremony was rubbish but the reception was brilliant.
By Peter Hutchison
9:45PM BST 21 Oct 2010
(...)
TOP 50 JOKES OF ALL TIME
(...)
36. I backed a horse last week at ten to one. It came in at quarter past four.
22 October 2010, Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland), “Funniest Jokes Ever—Official” by Brian McIver, pg. 8:
TOP 40 JOKES OF ALL TIME
(...)
36 I backed a horse last week at 10 to one. It came in at quarter past four.
Google Books
5,000 Great One Liners
Compiled by Grant Tucker
London, UK: Biteback Publishing
2012
Pg. ?:
I backed a horse last week at ten to one. It came in at quarter past four.
Google Books
Basic Maths Practice Problems For Dummies
By Colin Beveridge
Chichester, West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
2012
Pg. 10:
A famous Tommy Cooper joke goes as follows: I backed a horse last week, at twenty to one. It came in at quarter past three.
Google Books
5,000 Great One Liners
Compiled by Grant TUcker
London, UK: Biteback Publishing
2012
Pg. ?:
I backed a horse last week at ten to one. It came in at quarter past four.
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.
Recent entries:
•“I read old books because I would rather learn from those who built civilization than those who tore it down” (4/18)
•“I study old buildings because I would rather learn from those who built civilization than those who tore it down” (4/18)
•“Due to personal reasons, I’m still going to be fluffy this summer” (4/18)
•“Do not honk at me. My life is worthless. I will kill us both” (bumper sticker) (4/18)
•Entry in progress—BP16 (4/18)
More new entries...
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.
This site is edited by Barry Popik. These are the Cookies and Privacy Policies.