Meaning of Joe Miller | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A stale jest; a worn-out joke.
   colloquial, dated
2. The point of something; the fun or utility in doing a thing.
   colloquial, dated

Examples

“It is an old Joe Miller in whist circles, that there are only two reasons that can justify⟳ you in not returning trumps to your partner's lead⟳; i.e., first, sudden illness; secondly, having none.”

“There is a venerable Joe Miller about a schoolmaster who, wishing to singe his long beard short, burnt it off and his face⟳ to boot:--which reminded him of the saying.”

“"Don't begin⟳ them boots till I gives yer the order⟳," says Jinks, as he goes out. "No," I says, "I shan't;" nor I didn't neither, for I couldn't see⟳ the Joe Miller of it, and somehow or another Jinks never come⟳ inside my place⟳ again.”

“Had the committee been composed of teetotalers, and the sports run⟳ on strict Oliver Plunkett lines, one could understand⟳ the Joe Miller of it all; but when the meeting was otherwise conducted and received the patronage of brewers and publicans — well, it was hard lines to say⟳ the least that Tommy Atkins should have⟳ been permitted to return⟳ to his quarters in Dundalk musing over what a temperance or inhospitable set⟳ must be the Drogheda wheelers.”

CEFR level