Every Friends Joke

  Why was it Rachel's parents who had spent $40,000 on the wedding, not Barry's?  It is a day after Rachel's running away from her wedding. This evening Monica hosts a dinner for her family. The parents appear to know Rachel's parents well and now sharing gossips with their kids. Jack Geller:   I'm not going to tell you what they spent on that wedding, but $40,000 is a lot of money Why does Jack mention only Rachel's family expenses? Why there seem to be no implication of Barry's the groom's family input for the big celebration too?

What ceremony does Monica talk about? Monica can't stop cleaning her apartment that is already pretty clean. She is extra obsessed because her parents are coming for dinner. Joey wonders why is it just Monica, not her brother Ross,  so anxious to to appear doing well,  when family time is approaching. Monica:  That's because as far as my parents are concerned, Ross can do no wrong. You see, he's the Prince. Apparently they had some big ceremony before I was born. It appears that Monica refers to the mock up of a crowning ceremony, that Judy and Jack Geller have done for their son. This act sounds pretty insane. And I assume this is the wild exaggerated part of the joke. But in order for joke to work, it has got to have a reality based root. This bit doesn't ring true to me, but judging by the laughter Monica's ceremony joke get, it does for the American audience. So this is where I dug deeper and found the cultural cord I was missing. Tu sum my findings up by mentio

What exactly is Western omelet? This is a new day right after the one where Rachel's run away from her wedding. Now Rachel is making her first coffee ever and is super pumped about her newfound abilities. Joey is catching that vibe of hers and tries to take a little advantage of it. Joey: If you feel like you have to make a Western omelet or something... What is Western omelet? And is there anything extra to Joey's joke that I am maybe not getting?

What is Enterprise? And why the sonogram is supposedly about to attack it? Ross is showing guys the sonogram, the first video of his child inside Carol's belly. But Chandler and Joey aren't fast to share Ross's enthusiasm and excitement. Honestly boys are not able to make out much of this sonogram video. Joey:  What are we supposed to be seeing here? Chandler: I don't know, but I think it's about to attack the Enterprise. What is Enterprise? And why is sonogram is supposed to attack it?

  Who is Christina? And why the line about having the same thing as Christina is funny? Guys are back at Monica's apartment watching show in Spanish language. None of friends seem to understand Spanish. So the guys are having fun making up the ridiculous translation of show's emotional scenes. Chandler: Tuna or egg salad? Decide! Ross: I'll have whatever Christina's having.

  Who wants to crush their teeth on something called Rocky Road? Ross goes through a dark stage in his divorce with Carol. Back in his apartment Ross shares with Joey and Chandler his big fear. What if there is only one woman for each man in the world and he has just lost her? But Joey can't stand that nonsense:  Joey :   It is like saying there is only one flavor of ice-cream for you. Let me tell you something, Ross. There's lots of flavors out there. There's rocky road and cookie dough and bing cherry vanilla. You can get them with jimmies or nuts or whipped cream. Who wants to crush their teeth on something called Rocky Road? Isn’t that dangerous to eat cookie dough? And how jimmies are different from sprinkles.

  What big lizards does Ross talk about? Rachel visibly gets upset when Ross reminds her about Aruba honeymoon she has to pass on. Ross panics and offers the first reason to hate Aruba, that comes to his mind: Ross :  Although, Aruba. This time of year? Talk about your... big lizards...  What big lizards does Ross talk about? Is fall a big lizard season in Aruba? And why does Rachel look so puzzled at the end of Ross’s rumbling?

  What is Aruba? Ross grabs himself a glass of orange juice and approaches Rachel in the kitchen. He pretends to casually wonder what is it Rachel up to tonight. Rachel : Let’s see I was kinda supposed to be headed for Aruba for on my honeymoon, so nothing!  What is Aruba? And does this destination have an extra meaning I might be missing?

What is Three's Company? The friends are watching a TV show called Three's Company at Monica's apartment. Some blond girl character in the show says holding up a lacy bra 'looks like she's left not in such a hurry after all'.  Chandler:  Oh, I think this is the episode of Three's Company where there's some kind of misunderstanding. What is Three's Company TV show?

Why Chandler have to sit through a comedian before Pink Floyd comes out? The gang is discussing the meaning and importance of kisses before sex. Chandler voices guys' perspective on the matter. Chandler:   For us, kissing's an opening act.. like the comedian you have to sit through.. before Pink Floyd comes out What is an opening act? Why the comedian is in it? And who are Pink Floyd?

  Why Chandler's dreaming he's Liza Minelli is funny ? The gang is sitting in the cafe and Chandler begins to tell his new dream slash story. Chandler: I'm in Las Vegas. I'm Liza Minelli Who is Liza Minelli? Is there more to the joke then it meets the eye?

Is splitting Oreo a thing for Americans? Monica has just gone to bed. Ross and Rachel  are left together  for the first time in a history of the show. Between then there is a dish on the table with only one Oreo cookie left. Ross and Rachel reach for that cookie at one and the same moment. But as each of them realizes that the other wants this cookie, both retreat, leaving the sweet treat to another. Ross: Split it? Rachel: Okay. Is splitting cookies a thing in America?

What other lines exist in the US dating culture ? Monica has just found out that Paul, the wine guy, she just slept with last night, has lied to her. Apparently Paul uses the same sad divorce story to butter up every girl he is going out with. Monica is terribly upset. How could she fall for it? Paul felt so sincere! How could this complex vulnerable story be a line? Joey doesn't help. Joey: Of course it was a line! What is a line? Is there a special list of lines for dating in America?

What is Parrot Jungle ? Monica is at work, but in her mind she is still thinking about last night with Paul the wine guy. Frannie, the colleague, enters and right away notices Monica's mental absence. Monica: Hey Frannie, welcome back! How was Florida? Frannie: You had sex, didn't you? Monica: How do you do that? Frannie: Oh, I hate you, I'm pushing my Aunt Roz through Parrot Jungle and you're having sex! What is Parrot Jungle?

What is the barn raising scene in Witness ? Monica and Paul are saying goodbye at the door after their first night together. The evening before Paul has reviled to Monica his deep dark secret of not being able to perform sexually, ever since his wife left him. But this night everything worked again! Monica seems to heal Paul. Paul: Thank you! Thank you so much! Monica: Stop! Paul: No, I'm telling you last night was like umm, all my birthdays, both graduations, plus the barn raising scene in Witness. Why the barn scene in Witness is supposed to be a great analogy to Paul here? What is funny about this comparison?

  Who are Lenny and Squiggy? Monica comes out of her bedroom after a night with Paul, the guy she is was convincing friends earlier she is only going to have dinner with and NOT have sex. When Monica sees Chandler and Joey in her living room having coffee, she comments to herself: Monica: Oh, good. Lenny and Squiggy are here. Who is Lenny and Squiggy? And is there an extra meaning to Joey's and Chandler's new nicknames, Monica just came up with?

Who is Joanie? Who is Chachi? Rachel stays at Monica's to cry over her messed up life. Earlier this morning she has run away from her own wedding. Later that day Rachel has gotten into fight with her dad over leaving Barry at the altar. Now in order to process what has happened Rachel watches a TV show while hugging her wedding dress. There are some couple getting married on the screen. Rachel: See, but Joanie loved Chachi, that's the difference Who are those Joanie and Chachi? Is there extra joke or meaning hidden for a native-speaker? Chachi and Joanie are the characters from a successful TV show "Happy Days". The show tells a nostalgic story for 50ies story of a US family - a dad, a mom, a son and a daughter Joanie. Happy Days has been airing for 11 seasons from 1974 to 1984. So Rachel must have grown up watching the show as a teenager, and looked up to the show's characters. Especially Rachel must have related to Joanie, as the girl on the show who is closest

  Is there a set of rules for what to talk about on each date ? Monica and Paul are on their first date. And Paul cuts himself in the middle of a personal story. Monica is all ears and is eager to hear the end of it. But Paul is still hesitant and instead explains the abrupt pause. Paul: No, it's, it's more of a fifth date kinda revelation That made me wonder, is there a some kind of set of rules of what you are supposed to talk about on a date? So I went to research it and here is what I found: First date . It is all about getting a general picture and feeling if you in fact are attracted to each other. You talk about light stuff. Like with any story you would usually start with locations. Where are you from? Talk about it for a bit. Than you would normally move on touching every small talk topics there is. Think weather, food, TV shows and hobbies. Y After all that you'd ask for a check and go home. And if you liked everything you saw and heard you'd ask for a second

  What is a Dear Diary moment ? Somebody from downstairs rings the bell to the apartment. Apparently it is Paul, Monica’s date for tonight. Earlier this day Monica said that this is not going to be a real date. But now the friends know for sure Monica is truly excited. Ross: He finally asked you out? Monica: Yes! Chandler: Ooh, this is a Dear Diary moment. Why does Chandler call the situation a Dear Diary moment?

Why that song was supposed calm Rachel down? Rachel has just lost her father's financial support. She has a panic attack and breathes in and out of a bag now. Monica tries to calm Rachel down. Monica: Just breathe, breathe.. that's it. Just try to think of nice calm things... Phoebe: Raindrops on roses and rabbits and kittens, Bluebells and sleighbells and- something with mittens... La la la la...something and noodles with string. These are a few... Why Phoebe thinks it is a good idea to sing about "nice calm things" and not just simply name them?

  Why deciding on having Tuna or Egg Salad is laughable? The gang is back at Monica’s apartment watching a telenovela in Spanish. None of them know that language. So friends take turns guessing what the telenovela's characters are saying to each other. At one point an elder lady in TV shakes her finger and says something angrily. Chandler: Tuna or egg salad! Decide! The tone of voice suggests Chanler mocks the character. Yet it is still unclear to me why is the choice between tuna and egg salad is meant to be the opposite of dramatic? And why are those two even compared? Why not any other salads? The thing that unites tuna and egg salad is mayonnaise. The ingredients are basically tuna and mayo for a tuna salad. And egg and mayo for an egg salad. Both are simple and quick to make. Both of them are considered cheap, satisfying yet a bit boring options for your lunch. But there is one thing that breaks tuna and egg salad into opposite camps. Since around 1960-ies tuna salad has been

Who is Mr Potato Head? Rachel sits down with the guys at Central Perk and shares why she couldn't help, but run away from her own wedding: Rachel: And then I got really freaked out, and that's when it hit me: how much Barry looks like Mr. Potato Head.. Who is Mr Potato Head? And why the realization of Barry looking like Mr Potato Head is so much repellent to Rachel, that she feels the need to escape? Mr Potato Head is a toy. It consists of a plastic potato and plastic parts to attach like eyes, arms, legs. Mr Potato Head took roots in the American culture in conservative prude 50ies. The toy was not meant to be sexy. According to the ads Mr Potato Head keeps attention of 2 maybe 4 year olds. Rachel realizes Barry not only looks like Mr Potato Head but also bores her like one. The bride has outgrown her childhood toys, her father’s house, her stay at home and do nothing mom’s example. Now Rachel is ready for her big girl challenge. A fun fact - there is actually a Mrs Potato He

What is Sweet’n’Low? Rachel is telling her run-away-from-the-wedding story, when a waitress brings her coffee. Rachel pauses the story to ask waitress for some artificial sweetener. Rachel: "Sweet N Low?" The joke seems to be quite translatable, if you know that Sweet’N’Low is a sugar substitute. But I kept sensing something extra about it. So I dug into my research and it appeared that the tiny pink baggie hides a whole arc of Rachel's character. Get yourself ready for a story here!

Why is Limoges gravy boat that exciting to Rachel? It is the very beginning of the show. The scene is about introduction of Rachel as a character. Rachel runs into Central Perk in a wedding dress and bumps into Monica and her friends. Now when she has ordered her coffee, she starts to tell her run-away-from-the-wedding story. Rachel: " I was in the room with all the presents.. and I was looking at this really gorgeous Limoges gravy boat." What sort of gravy boat is Limoges gravy boat? Why writers would choose for Rachel to start the story from some Limoges gravy boat?

How is Lamaze class connected to Earth Science and gym? Guys are chilling in Central Perk when Ross remembers he has to go to a class on birth-giving. It is called Lamaze class. Ross jumps up and is ready to run off, when Chandler responds with " Oh, and I’ve got Earth Science, but I'll catch you in Gym!" Audience laughs. Why?  We know that Ross and Chandler went to college together. They spent time together at classes like Earth Science and in gym while working out. This time is long gone for Chandler and Ross. When Ross this suddenly jumps up and announces that there is a class he has got to run to, it reminds Chandler of that time. Chandler picks up on the vibe of the moment and jokes ahead. This on point analogy make the line funny.

Joey has been coaching Ross in dirty talk. Now after another date with Cecilia Ross shares how did it work last night. Ross:  I was the James Michener of dirty talk. It was the most elaborate filth you have ever  heard. I mean, there were characters, plot lines, themes, a motif... at one point there were villagers. [audience laughs] Q: Why audience laughs at the mention of "villagers"? Does Ross reference to anything? Or it is just is what it is and he was just so elaborate, that he had included additional characters into his "dirty story" with Cecilia. Those characters just happened to be villagers, no extra meaning here, right? A: Have no answer to this one yet! Share your ideas in the comments below

Is "I'm rubber, you're glue" some sort of popular saying? Ross, Chandler and Joey are off to watch a hockey game. There Ross catches a puck not with his hands, but with his nose. An injury and a gift! After Ross gets his nose fixed he goes back to the hospital's lobby. There Ross sees the puck in some boy's hands and demands to have his trophy back. But the kid is not ready to let go. Kid: I found it. Finders keepers, losers weepers. Ross: Oh yeah? Well, I'm rubber, you're glue, whatever— What is this string of words exactly?

Who is Dinah? And why if in the kitchen Rachel shell be specifically with Dinah? Rachel tries to remember where and when she have lost her engagement ring. Rachel: I know I had it this morning, and I know I had it when I was in the kitchen with... Chandler:  ...Dinah? Who is Dinah? Why is Rachel so obviously supposed to be in the kitchen with her?

What is Thighmaster? Chandler walks by the big window in Monica's apartment. Suddenly Chandler sees something and starts screaming. Chandler:  Ugly Naked Guy got a Thighmaster! What is Thighmaster?

What is 'doy'? And why don't you get a lot of it these days? Rachel is looking for her engagement ring around Monica's apartment. Guys are helping Rachel in her quest. Joey asks if Rachel remembers where did she have the ring on last? Phoebe feels like this is a stupid question: Phoebe:  Doy! Probably right before she lost it! Chandler:  You don't get a lot of 'doy' these days... What does doy mean? Why Chandler feels that it is out of fashion? What does doy say about Phoebe?