A children’s food joke involving leeks—which sounds like “leaks”—is:
Q: What’s the worst vegetable to bring on a boat?
A: A leek.
The joke was cited in print in 1892 and 1924, but became popular by about 2008.
21 July 1892, Bridgeton (NJ) Evening News, pg. 1, col. 2:
Theodore Baker, Cumberland’s boss trucker, says the worst vegetable you can have about a ship is a leek.
Google Books
L̀istening-in’: and Other Addresses to Children
By William Hay
Paisley (UK): Alexander Gardner. Limited
1924
Pg. 42:
They would ask, ” What was the worst vegetable they brought with them from England?” And the answer to this conundrum was ” The Scottish leek.”
Google Books
Stowaway!:
Adventures at Sea
By Tracey West
New York, NY: Grosset & Dunlap
2008
Pg. 56:
“What’s the worst vegetable to have on a ship?” you ask Rockhopper.
Rockhopper looks at you. “I don’t know, matey. What?”
“A leek!” you say. “Leek! Get it?”
Twitter
Emily Neil
@emmmmily_
what is the worst vegetable to have on a boat-a leek..haha (:
9:45 AM - 25 Dec 2009
Twitter
Gemma Byers
@gemmabyers
@RedHouseBooks What’s the worst vegetable to have on a boat? A leek!
3:43 AM - 14 Jan 2011
Twitter
hanna cody
@hannacody
@MetalChristine @jessacass What’s the worst vegetable to take on a boat??
A Leek #badjokefriday
9:04 PM - 22 Sep 2011
Google Books
Food Jokes For Kids 6
By Peter Crumpton
PeteyRF Creative
2015
Pg. ?:
What’s the worst vegetable to serve on a boat?
Leeks!
Facebook
Woodman’s - Altoona, WI
April 24, 2015 ·
What’s the worst vegetable to serve on a boat? “Leeks!” #FoodJokeFriday
reddit
What’s the worst vegetable to bring on a boat? (self.dadjokes)
submitted March 9, 2016 by jay_el_ess
a leek
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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