A popular joke about a certain street sign is:
“I saw a sign that said ‘Watch for children’ and I thought, ‘That sounds like a fair trade.’”
“‘Watch for Children’ (not a fair trade, IMO)” was cited in the newsgroup misc.writing in 2002. New York City-born comedian Demetri Martin has popularized the joke since 2006.
“I got a bottle of scotch for my wife…” is a similar joke.
Wikipedia: Demetri Martin
Demetri Evan Martin (born May 25, 1973) is an American comedian, actor, artist, musician, writer, and humorist. He is best known for his work as a stand-up comedian, being a contributor on The Daily Show, and his Comedy Central show Important Things with Demetri Martin.
Google Groups: misc.writing
Domestic Violence Coordinator
Wendy Chatley Green
12/17/02
(...)
“Watch for Children” (not a fair trade, IMO)
LaughSpin
Demetri Martin: These Are Jokes
By Dylan P. Gadino | September 19, 2006 at 9:31 am
It’s clear, if not from the name of his album alone then from the amazingly economical language in his bits, that Demetri Martin is a simple, unassuming man concerned with one thing: telling jokes.
(...)
“I saw a sign that said, ‘Watch for children.’ I was like, ‘That sounds like a fair trade — especially if they’re crappy kids.’”
Twitter
jackson58
@jackson58
I saw a sign that said watch for children thought that was a pretty good trade?
3:05 PM - 19 Aug 2008
Twitter
Jeremy Cruz
@jermchoco
I saw a sign that said “watch for children”...i thought…that sounds like a fair trade.
9:52 PM - 12 Feb 2009
Twitter
pmilkman
@PMilkman
@coordt Reminds me of a Demetri Martin bit: ‘I saw a sign in a park that said ‘Watch for children’, and I thought that was a fair trade.’
9:33 PM - 16 Mar 2009
reddit
I saw a sign that said “Watch for Children”
submitted January 18, 2015 by wohdude
and thought to myself, “Sounds like a fair trade.”
reddit
I saw a sign that said “watch for children” and I thought, “That sounds like a fair trade.”
submitted December 6, 2015 by mack3r
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.
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