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.
Who is Dinah? Why is Rachel so obviously supposed to be in the kitchen with her?
"Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah" is a line from an American folk song. The first published version appeared in 1894 under a name "Levee Song". The tune is catchy and people have picked it up and used for other songs ever since.
Also this Levee Song itself was referenced many times in different TV shows including one of Bugs Bunny cartoons. The lyrics tell a story and a struggle of a man working hard work at the railroad.
Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah
Someone's in the kitchen i know
Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah
Strumming on the old banjo
Dinah song is sung from the perspective of a man, that works at the railroad "all the live long day". And it seems that he suspects Dinah of being unfaithful to him.
Also take a look at the history of Dinah's name. It first appears as a woman's name in the Hebrew Bible. Not only Dinah from that book has a sad story, her name literally translates as judged or vindicated. Pretty much what the man singing the song above is doing - judging Dinah.
So Chandler by suggesting, that Rachel has spent time with Dinah, references also the guilt Rachel is currently feeling for leaving Barry at the altar and now being clumsy enough to loose the ring she's got to return to her betrayed fiancee.
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Did I get this joke right? Share your takes in the comment section!
Katia
There was actually a cookin show/segment during the late 70s or early 80s with Dinah Washington
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