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| Text on Button | Ah...Men |
| Image Description | An older woman looking a man in a suit in front of red text on a white background and black rim. |
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| Additional Information | The phrase, "Ah… Men," epitomizes the 20th century’s love of risqué wordplay. Its exaggerated pause—mocking the solemnity of "Amen"—hints at lustful undertones or perhaps even a lament, paired with a cartoonish illustration revealing its true meaning hinting at an older woman thinking of a man. Designed in bold, sans-serif type with a red or blue border, this gag mirrors the burlesque humor of the day, joining buttons like "Holy Smoke!" in poking fun at piety. In the 1940s, a series of risqué pinback buttons became infamous as gumball machine and carnival prizes. These small novelties boasted bold, comic-style lettering and cheeky illustrations, often framed by red or blue borders. Their humor relied on double entendres and mild innuendo, pushing the era's boundaries of decency while remaining tame by today's standards. |
| Sources |
Cobweb Old Store Stock Warehouse. (2023a). Vintage 1940-1950’s ah … men novelty funny pinback button old store stock [eBay listing]. eBay. https://ebay.us/m/58JgWK Cobweb Old Store Stock Warehouse. (2023b). Vintage 1940-1950’s in the mood novelty funny pinback button old store stock [eBay listing]. eBay. https://ebay.us/m/RymdSF Commander Spock 1979. (2025). Ah… men. Original vintage 1930s humorous pin-back button badge 20s 30s 40s 50s [eBay listing]. eBay. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256632842420 Debris Guru. (n.d.). “Ah…men” vintage lapel pin. 11/8” – very good condition [eBay listing]. eBay. https://ebay.us/m/OGB2oV Midcentury Moderation. (2025). Humor pin button gag gift joke cartoon novelty ah men old lady mid century modern retro vintage [item listing]. https://midcenturymoderation.com/humor-pin-button-gag-gift-joke-cartoon-novelty-ah-men-old-lady-mid-century-modern-retro-vintage/ Small Vintage Vending. (n.d.). Penny King. http://www.smallvintagevending.com/third/penny_king.html Worth Point. (n.d.-a). Vintage 1940-1950’s treat em rough novelty funny pinback button old stock [marketplace listing]. https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-1940-1950s-treat-em-rough-4654285219 Worth Point. (n.d.-b). Vintage 1940-1950’s 8 gals for $1.00 novelty funny pinback button old stock [marketplace listing]. https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-1940-1950sgals-00-novelty-4874212689 |
| Catalog ID | IB0803 |