Every Friends Joke

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?

  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?

  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 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...

Is "if I can invade Poland, there's nothing I can't do" a well-known phrase? Yesterday Rachel was a sad runaway bride and a failing daughter. Next morning Rachel beams with excitement and can't wait for her brand new life to begin. Rachel :  If I can make coffee, there isn't anything I can't do. Chandler :  I think it's, "If I can invade Poland, there's nothing I can't do." Why is it invading Poland supposed to make one all-mighty? 

What do the words Billy Don't Be a Hero supposed to mean? Ross has just gotten divorced and now misses Carol. Joey sees only Ross's personal drama as an opportunity to date more women. After some convincing Ross seems to like Joey's dating again idea. But Ross feels it was too long since he last was on a real date. And now Ross is afraid he has completely forgotten how to ask a girl out. Ross : Do you know how long it's been since I grabbed a spoon? Do the words, "Billy, don't be a hero", mean anything to you? What is this 'Billy, Don't Be a Hero' phrase? And how does it tell us, when Ross last dated?

Spelling words out with noodles? Is that a thing? Monica and Paul's date seems to be going pretty smoothly. They laugh, they trade stories. Paul even shares how hard his divorce was on him. But suddenly Paul pauses in the middle of the story and can't seem to go on. Monica is dying to know what is it Paul had in mind. Paul: Ever since she walked out on me, I, uh... Monica: What?..... What, you wanna spell it out with noodles?

What is Mento? Carol has moved out. Ross shares and shares his break up feelings with guys, while at his place. At some point it gets too much for Joey and Chandler. Chandler : You have to understand, between us we haven't had a relationship that's lasted longer than a Mento. What is Mento? And why Chandler refers to it?