A foghorn is typically an instrument used to make loud sounds like a signal to warn marine transports of possible dangers or of the presence of other boats in foggy conditions. For someone named after the device, it can be concluded in an easy manner that he must be doomed of a lifetime of living up to its definition. And Foghorn Leghorn is not your typical rooster. He is loud, pompous, unpolished, and carried an appetite for mischief.
Inspired by a popular fictitious Southern politician, Senator Claghorn, Foghorn Leghorn mirrored his Southern accent and acquired his catchphrases such as ‘”That’s a joke, ah say, that’s a joke, son.’ He rose during the Golden Age of American animation and had been seen from 1946 to 1963.
He was also famous for his myriad of one-lined punching lines and humor. As someone who loved a good joke and prank, he generally dedicated his time to rivalry and torment. He spent most of his time exchanging banters with Barnyard Dawng, a basset hound. Each took turns in tormenting and convincing Henery Hawk, a chicken hawk, who the ‘real chicken’ is.
When he’s not doing any of these, he spent his time fawning over Miss Prissy, the widowed hen, and babysitting her son, Egghead Jr.
Despite his eccentric manner and loudmouth, Foghorn Leghorn boasts of quotes and relevant phrases to live by or have a laugh over. Listed below are some of the satires a ‘wise chicken’ once said.
[If that] kid don’t quit talkin’ so much, he’ll get his tongue sunburned.
As someone grows older, one tends to hate loud noises, and crappy replies. Culture and tradition teach younger ones to always respect the elders, but there seemed a momentary lapse of such when a child, much more a very young one, talks back and talks much. On a serious note, this could be a good metaphor. If one doesn’t want to get ‘burned’ by words, everyone must watch the words he or she uttered.
That, I say that boy’s just like a tattoo, gets under your skin.
Funny enough, everyone could relate to this. Everyone seems to have someone they hate. Just like a tattoo, it could be very hard to get rid of one’s heavy baggage. But a tattoo is one’s choice. Now that’s a thought to consider.
That boy’s as strong as an ox, and just about as smart.
They say you can only be good at one thing; you are more of this and a little less of that. It may or may not be true, but for someone to be both strong and smart, to be both intelligent and beautiful, to be both great and amazing, is a blessing. Whoever has both must be so lucky.
Nice boy, but he’s got more nerve than a bum tooth.
Nobody wants a bum tooth, but everyone seems to have less nerve to do whatever they want. To get something we want, go somewhere we want to go, we must be braver and bolder than what we’re comfortable with. So, take the risk. Get out of there. Don’t be stuck in a place just because it feels familiar and safe.
‘Oh, that woman got a moth-like an outboard motor.
The power of a woman’s mouth has been proven throughout history. She is unstoppable and she’ll continue to be fearless in voicing out her opinions. It is uplifting to see woman grow and survive. It is beautiful to see women uplifting and helping one another.
Who’s responsible for this unwarranted attack on my person?
‘Who are you to say anything to me?’ is a question we often ask people who say their unsolicited opinions. But do we ever ask, ‘Who am I to say anything to him or her?’ Mind your business, folks. Let yourself live in peace.
Boy, I say boy! I am good when I am good but when I am worse, I am better.
Read that all over again. Just because you are in your worst state doesn’t mean you are not allowed to feel happy, blessed, and cared for. You are an evolving process. Allow yourself to be a beginner, or even fail, but never allow yourself to stop. Continue life’s journey. There’s always a light waiting for you at the end of the tunnel.
Now cut that out, boy, or I’ll spank you where the feathers are thinnest.
Now, this is one of the best threats ever spoken. People often think that just because you know someone’s weakness, it would be easier to control the person. Sometimes, the blow could be very lethal, but once you realized that you could make the most of your weakness and make it your strength, nothing could ever hurt you, even on the parts where your feathers are the thinnest.
Boy! Oh boy, I guess you lack the most necessary equipment, your brain!
There’s no other way this insult could be worded. It has every ounce of sarcasm and wit. To be able to find a good moment to insert this in your daily conversation would be epic. Plus, it could make the conversation interesting.
Boy, oh boy! Avoid mirrors, if you cannot forgo jokes!
Because you are the joke! Millennials will sure surely get this. It’s a wonder how Foghorn was able to monetarily predict the recent generation. But some jokes are way mean, so learn where to draw the line.
Boy, I say boy. You are about to exceed the limitations of my medication
Maybe this is one of Foghorn’s funniest lines. Real talk: It is funny to make fun of someone, especially if that someone doesn’t take a joke seriously. But alas, everyone has limits. Be careful and be mindful. The joke you gave might be an insult someone received.
Nice mannered kid, just a little on the dumb side.
Well, no one’s perfect. We all have our dumb side. The good news is, we can always work on making ourselves better. Find balance in this world. Work on your passion, respect your shortcomings, but don’t stay dumb. This world is cruel enough.
Fortunately, I keep my feathers numbered, for, for just such an emergency.
You know what they say, be vigilant and careful, the world is full of thieves and liars. But on the side note, it pays to know what you can do and what you can offer. Be authentic and know yourself better. This way, you will be able to demand what you want and what you deserved. Don’t sell yourself too short. Count your feathers and let the number talk.
This is going to cause more confusion than a mouse in a burlesque show
There are many questions for this line, but again, this would just create more confusion. Your life is like that. Your pile of uncertainties, shortcomings, regrets, and debts go up, and you don’t find humor in life anymore. Life is way more confusing than a ‘burlesque show’, but that doesn’t mean you are not allowed to ‘enjoy the show’. Sit back and relax.
That’s a joke, I say that’s a joke son.
Son, have you heard a dad’s joke? If you have heard any, then you will know that there’s a thin line between a laughable and a humorless one. Here’s an example: Today, my son asked “Can I have a bookmark?” and I burst into tears. 11 years old and he still doesn’t know my name is Brian.
Go, I say go away boy, you bother me.
Might as well print this on your t-shirt, tattooed on your forehead and shout it at everyone who comes too close. But in a world where 5.5 billion people lived and almost everyone has a social media account, it is really hard to stay on the quiet road. Learn the art of ignoring people if you don’t want to be bothered by anything as trivial as an unfriendly comment or gesture. Or you could simply ask people to stay away and ‘unfriend’ them. Whatever deemed comfortable for you.
That’s a joke son! You missed it! Flew right by yah.
Welcome to another dad’s joke! You have been warned and I guess you can’t get enough so here’s another one: ‘The secret service isn’t allowed to yell “Get down!” anymore when the president is about to be attacked. Now they have to yell “Donald, duck!”
Bo, I say boy. You are about as useless as a back pocket on a T-shirt.
Some things are really meant to be pointless. Have you heard of pet rock, a rope-less skipping rope and gold pills? Don’t be like them. Get off your couch, eat your vegetables, drink your water and go out and wave to the sun. You are in desperate need of yourself. Take the courage and go for what you want.
That dog’s like taxes, he just doesn’t know when to stop.
Dogs are such interesting things and they can fairly be compared to anything. The dog adjusts to its surrounding, loves human, and develops a sense of strong attachment.
You look like two miles of bad road.
Have you ever wanted to insult someone without giving them a real insult, so you tried to be creative and subtle about it? Here’s an example. Thanked Foghorn Leghorn if you have reached the 20th and still enjoying it.
I say, I say. Some people are as dumb as a sack of hammers!!
Not everyone has the same mind and heart like yours. Everyone’s level of thinking is very different, but there are just moments when people surprise you. One hammer might be needed but a sack of them is useless. In life, we don’t need too many thoughts, or too much feelings. Learn to control your mind and thoughts.
Boy! I say listen my dear boy! Don’t take what others say in the negative manner, be positive and spread positivity around you!
Foghorn might be full of mischief and jokes, but he has some serious thoughts hidden. In the world where people read too much into everything, and the constant negativity is rampant, allow yourself to be positive. Be critical of the criticism you received. They meant well. Be thankful for the bad words they say; you now know how it feels, so don’t go around and doing the same thing with anyone. Let’s help each other build a community where we foster positivity.
Son! I say son! I’m not speaking only to hear my head roar, so please pay attention to what I say
The words you hear from your parents, your grandparents, and your mentors are not meant to invalidate you. They are words of encouragement wrapped in different parcels. They may not look good on the outside, but they mean well on the inside. Heed to their words of love and give respect in return.
The contents of Foghorn Leghorn’s words might be playful and hilarious, but the echoes of their meanings go beyond the enjoyment of a simple joke. The true beauty of his lines and the impact it gives on whoever is listening is a personal experience. It might sound funny to a child or a teenager, but it might be the words of wisdom an adult needs. This shows how much humor and enjoyment one needs in life.
From all the insults, sarcasm and anger everyone has taken, from all the joy, pain and sadness everyone has felt, and for all the blessings, enjoyment and laughter everyone has received, may the words we all utter in these times reminds us that our tongues are the deadliest weapons. Our words are both our shield and sword. Foghorn Leghorn has given you the bullet, it in your mouth to decide where you want to aim.
To be able to enjoy the pleasures of life, to be able to say whatever we want to say and feel whatever we choose to feel are beyond the realities of one’s daily life and struggles, but if you put yourself on a chicken’s perspective, a lot might change.
