The rare Arabian Oryx is believed to have inspired the myth of the unicorn. This desert
antelope became virtually extinct in the early 1960s. At that time, several groups of
international conservationists arranged to have nine animals sent to the Phoenix Zoo
to be the nucleus of a captive breeding herd. Today, the Oryx population
is over 1,000, and over 500 have been returned to the Middle East.

© 2000 by Alleen Pace Nilsen and Don L. F. Nilsen
Published by The Oryx Press
4041 North Central at Indian School Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85012-3397
www.oryxpress.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and
retrieval system, without permission in writing
from The Oryx Press.

Published simultaneously in Canada

Printed and bound in the United States of America

∞ + ⃝ The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of
American National Standard for Information Science Permanence
of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48, 1984.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Nilsen, Alleen Pace.
Encyclopedia of 20th-century American humor/ Alleen Pace Nilsen and Don L. F. Nilsen.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p.) and index.
ISBN 1-57356-218-1 (alk. paper)
1. American wit and humor--20th century--Encyclopedias. I. Title: Encyclopedia of
twentieth century American humor. II. Nilsen, Alleen Pace. III. Title.

PS438.N55 2000
817'.503--dc21 99-047257
CIP

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