The headline says, “The Butler Serves and The Housewife Too”.
This is a magazine ad from Pictorial Review for December 1918.
The first paragraph states: The charm of the Jell-O dessert is felt in every home- and it costs only a few cents. Isn’t it evident enough from the butler’s face that he is proud of the dish he serves, though he didn’t make it? And is there a young housekeeper who hasn’t experienced the pleasure of making one just as good and serving it with her own hands?
“Fun with gelatin: advert jingles”
yes it wiggles
also jiggles
comes in many flavors
to savor
when your man is back from town
children nicely dressed
clothing always pressed
clean the plate
can hardly wait
to set the Jell-O down
fresh flowers on the table
butler hangs your sable
after steak
dessert will shake
never cause a frown
oh chuckling I am!!! Love the old magazine cover — the words from it. And in 1918, December no less — red jello carried by the butler, just in time for the holidays! Love your jingle here too. I received a Jello Cookbook at my wedding shower! Really! And I actually made a Christmas cake from it: as in made a box angel food cake mix, and when cooled, poked long holes into it with a thin straw I think, or maybe a long meat fork utensil? And then poured red and green liquid jello down the holes; and then refrigerated the cake! Of course, it was also then covered with Cool Whip and red and green sugar sprinkles! All this — from the lovely Jello Cookbook! 🙂 Not my real culinary days 😦
ohhhhh THANK you for letting me know! I am back at the bar this morning and going over poems I’ve already read and seeing that my comments are not showing on some. Maybe this is what is happening?? I am SOOO frustrated as it must look to folks like I am not commenting. And I am commenting on every post! So glad you found my reply and THANKS for letting me know!
But that’s half a trifle over here! Although, to be fair, the best bit is the custard and the cream on top! Having had both British jelly, and US Jell-O, I can honestly say that the stuff your side of the pond is thicker and stiffer. And it makes glorious sucking and popping sounds when you scoop it up to eat it. 😀
I never grew up with Jell-o and when you are exposed to it later this old ad becomes even more hilarious… but yes to be able to dazzle your guests is really something that shifts over time. I guess that today it would be a really well baked sourdough bread.
Those old adverts are hilarious! You did a great job with this unique take on the prompt. Dessert will shake – Brought a smile to my face. Some of those Jello molds were quite sparkly and dazzling!
Were butlers as common as Jell-O back in the day? It is highly amusing to think of a butler ( and they are always English right?) serving Jell-O for me. We had lots of Jelly and Ice cream here when I was a kid…sadly no butler.
My first cooking experience as a teenager in high school home economics class was to make jello. I’ll never forget the look on my mother’s face when I told her. Fortunately I have evolved. This jingle made me giggle.
SMILes.. Jello..
A Food of ARt..
colors.. shape
shifter.. mysterious
and tasty.. and best
oF all
never
contained
well without
rigid containers..
Free Jello.. one of
my Favorites.. and like
Ramen noodles when
bOught for money.. it’s cheap..
but meH.. i always do mine for FReED..;)
There Are More Poets than Stars in the Firmament 
oh chuckling I am!!! Love the old magazine cover — the words from it. And in 1918, December no less — red jello carried by the butler, just in time for the holidays! Love your jingle here too. I received a Jello Cookbook at my wedding shower! Really! And I actually made a Christmas cake from it: as in made a box angel food cake mix, and when cooled, poked long holes into it with a thin straw I think, or maybe a long meat fork utensil? And then poured red and green liquid jello down the holes; and then refrigerated the cake! Of course, it was also then covered with Cool Whip and red and green sugar sprinkles! All this — from the lovely Jello Cookbook! 🙂 Not my real culinary days 😦
LikeLike
Thanks Lillian, for some reason your comments are being spammed like jell-o.
LikeLiked by 1 person
ohhhhh THANK you for letting me know! I am back at the bar this morning and going over poems I’ve already read and seeing that my comments are not showing on some. Maybe this is what is happening?? I am SOOO frustrated as it must look to folks like I am not commenting. And I am commenting on every post! So glad you found my reply and THANKS for letting me know!
LikeLike
This comment was spammed as well. If you haven’t already I’d contact WordPress and let them know.
LikeLike
Oh, make it again! I really want to see that. Is jello just jelly? I mean, you get lumps and melt them in water and then let it set?
LikeLike
I hope all will go well with your wife’s surgery tomorrow and that you will all stay safe during the storms. Thinking of you.
LikeLike
Thanks. The hurricane track keeps coming closer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Praying for all 💜
LikeLike
Thanks. Operation went well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s wonderful news!☺ Wishing your wife a speedy recovery 🌹🌹
LikeLike
Ha! As an advertising copywriter, I particularly love this. 🙂
LikeLike
I love jingles and old ad copy.
LikeLike
Lol! Nothing wrong with a little jello every now and then.
LikeLike
As long as there is no fruit cocktail inside.
LikeLiked by 1 person
But that’s half a trifle over here! Although, to be fair, the best bit is the custard and the cream on top! Having had both British jelly, and US Jell-O, I can honestly say that the stuff your side of the pond is thicker and stiffer. And it makes glorious sucking and popping sounds when you scoop it up to eat it. 😀
LikeLike
If it’s really cold it snaps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Eeeeek!!!
LikeLike
Everyone loves jelly.
LikeLike
I prefer jam. 🙂
LikeLike
Ah, but you are talking about American Jelly which is what the rest of the Anglo world calls Jam, unless it is a Jam-Jelly.
I am talking about Jelly, Jelly – gelatine Jelly.
LikeLike
Thanks for the jam session.
LikeLike
Very droll.
LikeLike
Thank you. 🙂
LikeLike
I never grew up with Jell-o and when you are exposed to it later this old ad becomes even more hilarious… but yes to be able to dazzle your guests is really something that shifts over time. I guess that today it would be a really well baked sourdough bread.
LikeLike
Jell-O remains an American staple, though not so much dazzle these days. Artisanal it is not.
LikeLike
I love it. My children used to like to suck jelly up through a straw. A most disgusting habit, and not one for neatly pressed occasions.
LikeLike
Jell-O is very firm when cold.
LikeLike
Great fun! Made me smile endlessly.
LikeLike
Glad you had fun. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great jingle, with a bit of a tingle, a razzle and a dazzle! Great fun Brian!
LikeLike
Thanks Kim. I am a child of the media age of jingles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I was little I used to know all the jingles – not any more though.
LikeLike
Those old adverts are hilarious! You did a great job with this unique take on the prompt. Dessert will shake – Brought a smile to my face. Some of those Jello molds were quite sparkly and dazzling!
LikeLike
Very elaborate molds at that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i felt as if i were there watching the scenario unfold.
love the old ad.
LikeLike
I bought some old ads years ago in antique stores. Modern pop-up adverts have nothing on the old days.
LikeLike
Were butlers as common as Jell-O back in the day? It is highly amusing to think of a butler ( and they are always English right?) serving Jell-O for me. We had lots of Jelly and Ice cream here when I was a kid…sadly no butler.
LikeLike
Since the butler always ‘did it’ I suppose it was for the best that you were not traumatized in your impressionable youth.
LikeLike
Traumatized by the butler! Goodness me. ‘shudders’
LikeLike
Don’t you mean ‘quivers’ like a bowl of Jell-O?
LikeLike
Ahh yes…of course. 😉
LikeLike
Oh, the power of a good jingle… you’ve written a great one.
LikeLike
Thanks, bet you hum these next time you see it wiggle.
LikeLike
My first cooking experience as a teenager in high school home economics class was to make jello. I’ll never forget the look on my mother’s face when I told her. Fortunately I have evolved. This jingle made me giggle.
LikeLike
Every chef has to start somewhere. 😉
LikeLike
SMILes.. Jello..
A Food of ARt..
colors.. shape
shifter.. mysterious
and tasty.. and best
oF all
never
contained
well without
rigid containers..
Free Jello.. one of
my Favorites.. and like
Ramen noodles when
bOught for money.. it’s cheap..
but meH.. i always do mine for FReED..;)
LikeLike
Thanks. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Loved this historical approach 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, I love the old ads.
LikeLike