Spike Milligan

Why?

Why? - meaning Summary

Comic Cultural Contrast

A brief comic poem that plays on detective clichés to make a sly cultural joke. Milligan contrasts American detectives who oddly keep their hats on while investigating with supposedly more fearsome Chinese detectives who always appear bare-headed. The humor comes from absurd juxtaposition and exaggeration, turning a small detail of dress into a mock portent of menace and undermining any serious threat with playful whimsy.

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American Detectives Never remove their hats When investigating murders In other people's flats. P.S. Chinese Tecs Are far more dreaded! And they always appear Bare-headed!

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