SELL BY OCT 23 15
The image displays a close-up of a milk jug with an imprint that reads, "SELL BY OCT 23 1528," which is framed by a caption that says, "Excuse me while I put away King Henry VIII's fuckin milk." The humor in this image arises from several layers of incongruity and anachronism, which I'll describe here in detail through multiple paragraphs.
First, the sell-by date on the milk jug is humorously outdated, suggesting that the product is nearly 500 years past its expiration date. Such a sell-by date is absurd, as plastic milk jugs and the concept of printed expiration dates did not exist in the 16th century. The anachronistic date combined with a contemporary object produces a comedic effect stemming from the sheer impossibility of the situation.
Second, the reference to King Henry VIII adds a layer of historical humor. King Henry VIII was the Tudor king of England from 1509 until his death in 1547, which means the milk's sell-by date is from his reign. The king is a well-known historical figure, often remembered for his six marriages and the formation of the Church of England. Associating a mundane item like milk with a famous king creates a whimsical juxtaposition.
Third, the casual use of modern slang in the caption, particularly the word "fuckin" as an intensifier, evokes a humorous contrast between the style of contemporary informal speech and the solemnity often associated with historical figures and times. The casual attitude implied by putting away milk is humorously inappropriate when referenced in the context of a famous historical monarch.
Fourth, the humor can also be found in the implicit suggestion that the milk jug has somehow traveled through time or has been preserved for centuries, inviting the audience to imagine the absurd scenarios in which King Henry VIII's dairy products have been meticulously stored until the present day.
Fifth, there's a visual element to the comedy as well—the timestamp on the jug is slightly blurred and distorted, which could imply either a humorous attempt at falsification or simply a reflection of how ludicrous the notion of a centuries-old expiration date is.
Lastly, the viewer's recognition of the joke relies on an understanding of the anachronism and the absurdity of such a date on a perishable item like milk. It's the cognitive process of resolving the discrepancy between historical context and contemporary reality that triggers the humor, making the image amusing to those who appreciate the playful bending of time and history.
In summary, the image's comedy hinges on historical anachronism, cultural references, contrasting formalities, and the surreal notion of a grocery product from the Renaissance era finding its way into a modern kitchen. SELL BY OCT 23 15
