Illustration of a baseball with eyes, nose, and legs on a cream colored background with read and blue text. 

According to John Pollack, the 1995 O. Henry Pun-Off World Champion, "The most common type of pun is the humorous use of a word in such a way that because of its sound, you can interpret it in more than one way." “Call Me Horsehide, I’m On the Ball” is a pun relating to the use of hosehide leather to make sports balls. Puns and wordplay have a long history of use, notably with Shakespeare in the 18th century (Shakespeare is known to have used over 3,000 puns across all of his plays!). The exact date of the first pun used is lost to time, but scholars think puns can be traced as far back as the 8th century BC.

Punning can be seen throughout the classic epic of Gilgamesh. In Tablets 11 and 12, when Utnapishtim tells the people that they will have a bountiful harvest full of bread and wheat, he is making a cruel pun relating to their fate; in Akkadian, the ancient language in which Gilgamesh was written, the word for “bread” is nearly identical to the word for “darkness,” while the word for “wheat” is nearly identical to the word for “misfortune.”

According to Pollack, puns enable us “to pack more meaning, or more layers of meaning, into fewer words [and] to convey complex ideas.”

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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Blue text and graphic image of a figure holding a baseball bat on a white background

“The Sox” refers to the MLB team the Chicago White Sox. The Chicago White Sox have been in the major leagues since 1901. The slogan “The Sox are back” refers to a new season beginning. Today the season begins in March and the post-season ends in late October. The logo on the button was used by the team between 1976 and 1990. 

A zeppelin flying in front of a cloudy blue-green sky with small buildings visible below. 

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White text on a red background with a white circle around the rim

The Button, also known as The Button on the Beach, was a bar located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The bar was a destination for spring break tourists and sailors visiting Port Everglades. The bar had a reputation for holding risqué events, such as wet T-shirt contests. These events got the bar temporarily shut down on at least one occasion. 

Another Button location existed in Hallandale, Florida. The Museum has a similar button for that location here. 

Illustration of a red box of sugar with arms, legs, and a face on a peach-colored background with red and blue text; the sugar box is wearing a skirt and has a dainty, "refined" expression on its face

According to John Pollack, the 1995 O. Henry Pun-Off World Champion, "The most common type of pun is the humorous use of a word in such a way that because of its sound, you can interpret it in more than one way." “Call Me Sugar, I’m Refined” is a pun on the word “refined,” also meaning “elegant“ and “cultured.”  Puns and wordplay have a long history of use, notably with Shakespeare in the 18th century (Shakespeare is known to have used over 3,000 puns across all of his plays!). The exact date of the first pun used is lost to time, but scholars think puns can be traced as far back as the 8th century BC.

Punning can be seen throughout the classic epic of Gilgamesh. In Tablets 11 and 12, when Utnapishtim tells the people that they will have a bountiful harvest full of bread and wheat, he is making a cruel pun relating to their fate; in Akkadian, the ancient language in which Gilgamesh was written, the word for “bread” is nearly identical to the word for “darkness,” while the word for “wheat” is nearly identical to the word for “misfortune.”

According to Pollack, puns enable us “to pack more meaning, or more layers of meaning, into fewer words [and] to convey complex ideas.”

Graphic illustration of a smiling man wearing a white suit and a blue tie, holding out a perfectly folded collard shirt, on a blue circular background with blue text and white background around the rim 

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Illustration of a red fez adorned with Masonic imagery on a white background

Shriners are a masonic society, self described as "a fraternity based on fun, fellowship, and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth." The organization was founded in 1872, and originally called the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Shriners are know for their philanthropic work, including a network of children's hospitals, as well as for wearing distinctive red fezzes. They often refer to their members a nobles, with the phrase "Welcome Nobles" commonly being used to welcome new members.

Reddish-brown and black illustration design of a bull and the astrological symbol for Taurus, above stylized letters and surrounded black cross-hatching 

In astrology, Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac, governing those born between ~April 20th and May 20th. Astronomically situated in the winter sky of the northern hemisphere between Aries and Gemini, the constellation is represented by the head of a bull. This is related to the Greek myth of Zeus, who assumed the physical form of a bull to abduct Europa. People born during this time are thought to possess specific traits, including being stubborn, clever, trustworthy, and industrious.

Color photograph of 1970s-era Elvis Presley wearing a blue jumpsuit with gold embellishments

Known as the "King of Rock and Roll," Elvis Presley (1935-1977) was an American singer and musician who is regarded as one of the biggest cultural icons of the 20th century. Known for his distinct voice and gyrating hips, Presley began his professional career around 1955 when he signed with RCA Records. By the following year, Presley had a number one single with "Heartbreak Hotel" as well as a number one album, Elvis Presley. Presley soon developed a loyal fanbase and appeared regularly in concerts as well as late night shows and feature films. The blue jumpsuit he is photographed in on this button was debuted during his 1972 November tour. It is now on exhibit at Graceland, his Memphis, TN home-turned-museum. 

In 1977, Presley died of heart failure at the age of 42. His death was later found to be related to the use of prescription drugs. Though he died at a relatively young age, Presley had already cemented himself as an icon in American culture Throughout his lucrative career, Presley helped popularize rock 'n' roll music in America and had 18 number one singles. Presley was also one of the first five performers to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.​​​