The Handbook of Conundrums

The trade of tooth drawer is a conscienceless one, because it is "nothing else but to take away those things whereby every man gets his living."

"A vainglorious man" was bragging that his father and uncle had founded a certain hospital. One answered, "'Tis true, but yet know that your father and your uncle were the mere confounders (co-founders) of that hospital you speak of."

It was said that corn was a quarrelsome creature, because it rose by the blade, and fell by the ears with those that cut it.

A tailor was commended for his dexterity, whereupon it was remarked that tailors had their business at their fingers' ends.

Colliers and mine-workers, it was said, should be well acquainted with all the philosophical secrets of the earth, because they had a deeper knowledge of it