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Anytime four New Yorkers get into a cab together without arguing, a bank robbery has just taken place.
Johnny Carson
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote humorously suggests that New Yorkers are so accustomed to arguing that a peaceful cab ride signals something unusual has occurred.

Johnny Carson's quote highlights the stereotypical nature of New Yorkers as people who are often outspoken and argumentative. It uses humor to indicate that if four New Yorkers can share a cab without any dispute, it is likely due to an extraordinary circumstance, such as a bank robbery, which implies that arguments are the norm in their culture.

Themes

New YorkHumorArguingCabStereotype

In practice

Example use cases

In a comedy show highlighting the quirks of city life.

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