Best Conundrum Yet

“Best Conundrum Yet,” Alexander’s Weekly Messenger, vol. 4, no. 19, May 6, 1840, page 2, col. 6  

 

With this heading we find the following in the New York Signal: — “Why may Prince Albert be considered a saving and frugal personage?” [[“]]Answer — because he lays by a sovereign every night.” Mr. Benjamin, we have a very high respect for you, but not for your opinion about your own puns. Do you seriously think that conundrum a good one — we don’t. To be good, a double entendre should be at least good English when viewed on either side. Now we may lay by a piece of money — but we lie by a wife.