Buzz
Bathroom humor holds a distinguished place in literary history, with flatulence being a favorite topic of comedic relief for thousands of years. Throughout the ages, the allure of sneaking in a fart joke has proven too strong for even the most renowned authors, such as Aristophanes, Shakespeare, and Mark Twain. Here are 11 instances of literary greats referencing the timeless art of farting.
1. The Oldest Joke Ever Written // 1900 BCE
Who claims women don't fart? According to Paul McDonald, a professor at the University of Wolverhampton, this ancient Sumerian jest is the oldest recorded joke: 'Something that has never happened since the beginning of time; a young woman did not fart in her husband's lap.'
2. Dante Alighieri’s The Inferno // 14th Century CE
This 14th-century classic details a fictional journey, allegedly undertaken by Dante himself, through the nine circles of Hell. At the conclusion of chapter XXI, he observes a demon rallying his forces, utilizing 'his ass as a trumpet' to do so.
3. William Shakespeare’s A Comedy of Errors // 1594
In Act 3, the Bard cleverly writes, 'A man may break a word with you, sir; and words are but wind; Ay, and break it in your face, so he break it not behind.'
4. Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales // 14th Century CE
In “The Miller’s Tale,” Absolon and Nicholas are both courting Alison. In one scene, Absolon arrives at Alison’s window, requesting a kiss, oblivious to the fact that Nicholas is already spending the night with her. Instead of offering her lips, Alison presents her backside for him to kiss. It's so dark that Absolon doesn't realize the trick until Nicholas and Alison burst into laughter. Enraged, Absolon leaves to fetch a hot plow blade, then returns to the window, asking for another kiss. This time, Nicholas sticks his rear end out the window. When Absolon requests 'Alison' to speak, Nicholas lets out 'a fart as loud as it had been a thunder-clap, and nearly blinded Absolon, poor fellow.' Absolon retaliates by smacking Nicholas with the hot plow blade, scorching his rear end badly.
5. Jonathan Swift’s "The Benefit of Farting" // 1722
In this infamous essay, Jonathan Swift, the author of Gulliver’s Travels, writing under the whimsical pseudonym Don Fartinhando Puff-indorst, Professor of Bumbast at the University of Craccow, contends that women would benefit greatly if they farted more often.
6. Mark Twain’s 1601 // 1880
Always one to indulge in irreverent humor, Samuel Clemens’s one-act play is set at a private gathering in Queen Elizabeth’s court, where someone unexpectedly lets out a fart, prompting the Queen to inquire about the source. Lady Alice, a guest, quickly responds, 'Nay, 'tis not I [who has] brought forth this rich o'emastering fog, this fragrant gloom, so pray you seek ye further.'
7. Aristophanes’s The Clouds // 423 BCE
In one scene of the play, Strepsiades, a rather simple character, offers Socrates (yes, that Socrates) a bit too much personal detail about his digestive issues: 'I get colic, then the stew begins rumbling like thunder and eventually bursts out with a tremendous noise.'
8. James Joyce’s Ulysses // 1922
In a particularly unflattering passage, the novel’s protagonist, advertising canvasser Leopold Bloom, is described as sitting 'asquat the cuckstool … seated calm above his own rising smell.'
9. 1001 Arabian Nights’ Tales // 1709
In "The Tale of Abu Hasan," the protagonist flees his homeland in utter humiliation after accidentally letting one slip at his own wedding. For a remarkable reading of this story, complete with eerily realistic sound effects, check out the video above.
10. John Aubrey’s Brief Lives // 17th Century CE
In this collection of biographies, Aubrey recounts the following anecdote about the 17th Earl of Oxford (1550-1604): 'This Earl … [bowing] to Queen Elizabeth, happened to release a fart, at which he was so mortified that he left to travel for seven years. Upon his return, the Queen greeted him with, “My Lord, I had forgotten the fart.”'
11. J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher In The Rye // 1951
While listening scornfully to a self-important sermon from a 'phony' minister, Holden Caulfield’s disdain is briefly interrupted when 'this guy sitting in the row in front of me, Edgar Marsalla, let out this massive fart. It was a pretty crass thing to do, especially in the chapel, but it was also hilarious. Old Marsalla. He nearly blew the roof off.'
