Hansom is as Hansom Does

Hansom is as Hansom Does. Source: Fun. (15 March 1876): 126. Click on image to enlarge it.

Driver (in response to remark that he’s not “the usual”): — “Yes, Mum, I’m the regular handsome cabman!”

This joke in this cartoon of course depends upon the viewer’s recognition of the play on “Handsome is as Handsome Does,” and however well this driver of a Hansom cab does his job, he’s not very attractive. Note the differences between the large crinoline-widened skirt of the passenger and the straighter skirts of the two women onlookers.



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Last modified 1 March 2016