Like the modern tabloid, nineteenth century newspapers liked to carry jokes for their readers. And, like the modern tabloid, they often carried misogynist undertones.

This selection is from the Anglo-Celt in 1871:

A ferocious bachelor defines marriage as a crime that brings its own punishment.

The latin word for women is mulier. No wonder the female sex is so obstinate.

If your wife knows twice as much as you do give her to understand that you can eat the most.

If you have a scolding wife trust in time; old age may bring you the blessing of deafness.

Moving for a new trial- courting a second wife.

Barrister: you have property you say? Yes. Did you make it yourself? Partly. Are you married? Yes. Did your wife bring anything? Yes. What? Three children, sir.

Jonny was telling his ma how he was going to dress and show off when he was a man. His ma asked: Jonny, what do you expect to do for a living when you get to be a man? Well, I’ll get married and lodge with my wife’s pa.

A young candidate for the legal profession was asked what he should first do when employed to bring an action? Ask for money on account. He passed.

From 1872:

A western damsel has framed the verdict a jury gave in her favour in a suit for breach of promise of marriage and has hung it conspicuously in her parlour as a frightful warning to all triflers.

Fred said a father to his son, I hear that you and your wife quarrel and wrangle every day. Let me warn you against such fatal practice. Whoever told you that father, was totally mistaken; my wife and I haven’t spoken to one other for a month.

Or from 1904:

May- do you think one should marry for love or money? Chaperon- love is an excuse for marriage, but money is a justification.

She- do you remember before we were married dear? He- why, it’s among my happiest recollections.

Wife- what is meant John, by the phrase ‘carrying coals to Newcastle’? Husband- it is a metaphor my dear, showing the doing something that is unnecessary. Wife- I don’t exactly understand. Give me an illustration- a familiar one. Husband- well, if I was to bring you home a book entitled ‘how to talk’ that would be carrying coals to Newcastle.

Topnoody made up his mind today that he was not going to be bossed around any longer by his wife, so when he went home at noon he stalked in and called out imperiously- Mrs Topnoody! Mrs Topnoody! Mrs T came out of the kitchen with blood in her eyes and a rolling pin in her hand. Well sir, she said, what’ll you have? Topnoody staggered, but braced up. Mrs Topnoody I want you to understand madam- and he tapped his breast dramatically- I am the engineer of this establishment. Oh you are, are you? Well, Topnoody, I want you to understand that I – and she looked dangerous-am the boiler that will blow up and sling the engineer clear over into the next county. Do you hear the steam escaping, Topnoody? Topnoody heard it and he meekly inquired if there was any assistance he could render in the housework.