Where did the Crayon Marine Joke Come From?
The Crayon Marine Joke, also known as the "Crayon Box" or "Wax on Wax off," is a popular joke that has been circulating online for several years. The joke typically goes like this:
A marine (or soldier) is on a ship, and he finds a crayon box on deck. He picks it up and starts to draw with it. Another marine sees him and says, "What are you doing, you’re a marine, not an artist!" The first marine responds, "I’m just waxing on, waxing off." The punchline is a play on words, with "waxing on" referring to both the act of drawing with the crayon and the "wax on wax off" phrase popularized by the movie "The Karate Kid" (1984).
Despite its widespread popularity, the origins of the Crayon Marine Joke remain unclear. However, this article will explore the possible origins of the joke, as well as its evolution and spread online.
The Early Days of the Joke
The first known appearance of the Crayon Marine Joke online dates back to 2006, on the message board website Reddit. A user named "Nemesis42" posted a joke with the caption "Marine Finds Crayon Box at Sea", which went viral and sparked a chain reaction of similar jokes. From there, the joke spread rapidly across the internet, appearing on forums, social media platforms, and humor websites.
Influence of "The Karate Kid"
One of the most significant factors contributing to the joke’s popularity is its connection to the 1984 film "The Karate Kid". In the movie, the main character, Daniel LaRusso (played by Ralph Macchio), learns karate from Mr. Miyagi (played by Pat Morita). Mr. Miyagi’s unorthodox teaching methods involve having Daniel perform mundane tasks, such as "wax on, wax off," which are meant to help him develop his motor skills and coordination.
Evolution of the Joke
Over time, the Crayon Marine Joke has undergone several transformations, with various adaptations and spin-offs emerging. Some variations involve different professions or characters, while others incorporate different mediums, such as images or videos. Here are a few examples:
• Crayon Mechanic Joke: Instead of a marine, a mechanic finds a crayon box and starts drawing while working on a car. The punchline remains the same, with the mechanic responding, "I’m just waxing on, waxing off."
• Crayon Chef Joke: A chef discovers a crayon box in the kitchen and begins drawing on a dish. The punchline, "I’m just waxing on, waxing off," still applies, with the chef responding to the chef’s assistant’s criticism.
• Crayon Music Joke: A musician finds a crayon box in their instrument case and starts drawing on their guitar or violin. The punchline remains the same, with the musician responding, "I’m just waxing on, waxing off."
Online Spread and Memes
The Crayon Marine Joke has become a staple of internet humor, with numerous memes and jokes centered around the theme. Here are a few notable examples:
• Reddit’s r/dadjokes: The joke has become a staple on the Reddit community r/dadjokes, with thousands of users sharing their own versions of the joke.
• Twitter and Instagram: The joke has been adapted into various memes, images, and videos, often featuring humorous captions and hashtags.
• Meme websites: Sites like 9GAG, FunnyJunk, and Cheezburger have featured the joke in various forms, often with additional memes and jokes.
Conclusion
The Crayon Marine Joke has become an internet phenomenon, with its origins shrouded in mystery. While we may never know the exact person or group responsible for its creation, it’s clear that the joke has had a significant impact on online humor. Its evolution, adaptation, and spread demonstrate the power of humor to bring people together and transcend cultural boundaries.
