Dudes in the 1700 s while hitting it from the back
The image presented is a cartoon illustration with an accompanying caption that says, "Dudes in the 1700’s while hitting it from the back." The visual portrays what appears to be the back of a man's head with a distinct comedic element: his head is bald on top with hair around the sides, resembling the often-ridiculed "monk" haircut, commonly associated with medieval monks and, more comically in modern times, with men experiencing pattern baldness.
The humor within this image arises from anachronistic juxtaposition. The caption applies a modern colloquial expression, which is typically used to refer to a sexual position, to a historical context. By suggesting that men in the 1700s shared this rather contemporary sexual behavior, the image juxtaposes contemporary sexual openness with the perceived prudishness and formality of the 18th century.
Moreover, the cartoonish depiction of the man with a historical haircut exaggerates the incongruity. By focusing on the outdated "monk" haircut, it amplifies the humorous element that someone with such a conservative and old-fashioned appearance would engage in what is hinted at as a less conservative behavior, as suggested by the current-day slang in the caption.
The humor also relies on the element of surprise and subversion of expectations. Viewers might initially expect the image to present an educational or period-accurate depiction related to the 1700s. Instead, they are presented with a humorous twist on historical imagery, subverting expectations and prompting a humorous reaction due to the cognitive dissonance between the historical portrayal and modern-day lingo.
Another layer of the joke could be the anachronistic application of the phrase "hitting it from the back," as this expression is unlikely to have been used in the 1700s. The idea that the phrase could apply to something as mundane as a monk-like figure simply facing away from the viewer, perhaps engaged in an everyday task rather than anything sexual, might also contribute to the comedy.
Finally, the humor resonates with many people due to shared cultural understandings. Acknowledging the absurdity of the depiction, its historical inaccuracies, and the play on words creates a communal joke that plays on the viewers' collective knowledge of history, modern sexual slang, and visual tropes. This shared recognition of the joke's layers is what makes the image comical to a broad audience. Dudes in the 1700 s while hitting it from the back
