Diplomacy and Etiquette Humor

One of the founders of American publishing firm Random House, Bennet Cerf was also known for his wit, compilations of jokes and puns, and for regular television and personal appearances across the US

The mid-European diplomat was explaining Washington etiquette to his new assistant. "Remember that in these parts,” he warned, “no lady is ever fat. She is just a little short for her weight.”

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A very correct young diplomat, newly assigned to his United Nations delegation, surprised everybody by curtly declining an invitation to a big dinner sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Pressed for an explanation, the diplomat reminded reporters stiffly that his Foreign Office had given him explicit orders to give a wide berth to any kind of revolutionary organization. — Bennet Cerf, 1955

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia