The image shows a person holding what appears to be a metallic object, reminiscent of part of a sword, with a white powdery substance on the tip and along the side. The photo carries a humorous caption that reads "We doing King Arthur bumps tonight," suggesting a jesting tone to the image. The humor derives from a play on words and concepts, mixing contemporary slang with historical references.
The metallic object appears designed like a sword hilt, with ornamental curves and details, which one might associate with the legendary Excalibur, the sword of King Arthur from Arthurian legend. The white powdery substance, displayed in a manner that is perhaps associated with illegal drug use, combined with a sword-like object, creates an amusing juxtaposition of historical grandeur and modern-day vices.
The term "bumps" is used informally to refer to small amounts of powdered drugs inhaled through the nose. Thus, the phrase "King Arthur bumps" humorously implies that there are doing something illicit but with a mock-aristocratic, legendary twist, alluding to the nobility of King Arthur.
The humor in the image can also be understood through the subversion of expectations. Someone might expect a sword like the one King Arthur would wield to be part of a noble narrative or set in an epic medieval story. Instead, its presence here is for a laughable and incongruous purpose, which is a comic surprise.
Additionally, part of the humor may be derived from the cultural and historical mash-up this image represents. It subverts a robust mythological artifact by irreverently pairing it with a frivolous and contemporary activity. This clever melding of contexts can tickle the fancy of those who enjoy witty or sarcastic humor.
It's important to remember that while the image might be interpreted as making light of substance use, substance abuse is a serious issue. The picture appears to make a joke, and the humor relies on the assumption that the audience understands the contrast between the gravity associated with King Arthur and the lightheartedness suggested by the image's setup. We doing King Arthur bumps tonight