Have Your In-Laws Mubaraked? ... and Other Egypt Humor

Egyptian demonstrators hold anti-Mubarak slogans as they gather at Cairo's Tahrir square on February 8, 2011.

/ PATRICK BAZ/AFP/Getty Images

Even the most serious of situations - like momentous and violent political/cultural shifts - can produce some humor. As protests in Egypt against President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year reign grind on towards their third week, a little levity has slipped into the public discussion of the situation.

In Egypt, the most recent humorous meme is the creation of a new verb via the Twittersphere. Internet entrepreneur Samih Toukan recently began asking his thousands of Twitter followers to use the word "Mubarak" as a verb.  

Here's what they came up with:

#Mubaraked : 1) To fail to get the hint, regardless of how obvious it may be; 2) to farcically outstay one's welcome

#Mubaraked : to Stick something or to glue something. ex "i will punch u and Mubarak u to the wall"

#Mubaraked: To get stuck to a chair when u stand up

#Mubaraked: 'I invited a friend round for dinner last night, but they didn't leave till 12 despite my yawns. They really Mubaraked'

#Mubaraked : You are currently addicted and 'Mubaraked' to Twitter

Protesters on the ground have also taken the opportunity to show some humor. Here is a sampling of some of the signs being held in Tahrir Square, the epicenter of protests:

"Please leave... my arm hurts."

"Please leave. I got married 20 days ago and I miss my wife."

"Please leave. I want to get a haircut."

"De-Nile Not Only a River in Egypt"

"Mubarak #Fail"

"La Vache Qui Rit (The Laughing Cow) MuuhBarak"

"The only vacuum to worry about is the one inside Mubarak's head"

Protesters have also been responding to outrageous reports on state media with humor. One such report accused "external agitators" of giving the protesters daily luxury meals and pay them each $100 per day.

One protester told the Turkish daily Hurriyet in response: "I came to get the [Kentucky Fried Chicken] or the $100 but I can't find it," said protester Khaled Badawy, who laughed while putting on a yellow wig. The sign he carried read, "I'm a spy, holding an agenda and asking for a KFC meal."

American comedians have also found ample material in Egypt's protests, especially relating to Mubarak's overstayed welcome. Here are some samples:

Bill Maher - "All of the Arab potentates and their fat cat entourages are on the run. Tunisia's president is leaving, Mubarak is not going to run for re-election, the guy in Yemen is going to leave. This is great news -- not necessarily for the Middle East, but for real estate agents in Beverly Hills."

Conan O'Brien - "Hosni's son Gamal Mubarak says he does not want to become President, which is just as well. If you've seen one Mubarak you've seen Gamal."

"Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said he would resign, but Egypt would then descend into chaos. Then he said, 'Now, I have to go look out a window for the first time in two weeks.'"

Jimmy Fallon - "Egyptian President Mubarak's son Gamal will not run for President. Why would he? An unpopular President is removed from office and his inexperienced son is voted in? That could never happen."

Jay Leno - "Now Egyptians are demanding to see President Mubarak's birth certificate. There's a rumor he was born in New Jersey."

The comedian Andy Borowitz has had a field day over Mubarak's situation on his Twitter feed. Some samples:

"Mubarak is warning Egypt that if he resigns, there will be chaos "worse than the halftime show."

"Mubarak's new plan is to stick around long enough until hipsters start liking him in an ironic way."

"Mubarak remains defiant: "I will step down when Barbara Walters does."

"BREAKING: Mubarak has agreed to depart, but insists on taking JetBlue, so departure will be delayed."

[gerryrigger]

Ahhh, humor: a sure sign that this is not an extremist movement. I don't care about Glen Beck and his caliphornication theory-- he clearly mubaraks. Also Republican attacks on Barack have mubaraked and they should just retreat to their barracks. I mean do your job of getting people jobs, you joboffs! Oh, and limelight-hoggin', Tea Party darlin' Palin, lettin' your fans suckle while you lick clean their green: you have oh so mubaraked that no amount of lipstick can diguise the truth of whot you are.

[inketolstoy]

I couldn't help but notice that your post lacks humor, also. I suppose that and your name calling and tired rhetoric say "whot" about you?

[john5673]

CAN OBAMA WILL TAKE THE CALL?Even though it is too late, more than 14 days have passed, Obama and his team is playing dirty politics only to save their puppets and Israel in that part of the world. Obama-Hillary and Biden has failed the America's reputation as the champion of freedom and democracy on this Globe by making waves in removing the 30 years Egyptian dictator and several others. Obama must take a bold decision to stand up for our principles and call for Mubarak to leave the office, now and see that no military general is taking the command. Yes, it would be risky but being a super power we must take that healthy risk rather than risk of illegal and immoral WAR and allowing human sufferings, we have carried out in Iraq, Afghanistan and several other places. At this time, Egyptians and other Arabs and Muslims are revolting against their dictators for their human sufferings alone and not against American imperialism or our hegemony and dictate but soon time will change and these 300 million human beings of this land will really revolt against AMERICA and Israel and it will be too late to stop that bloody revolt. Obama will be responsible for not one but many Iran in that part of the world.

[Zann-Zel]

America's reputation as the champion of freedom and democracy
------------
If we're promoting "freedom and democracy" shouldn't we let them vote on their Own Leader? No one hands you freedom, you have to fight for it!

[Zann-Zel]

Well at least they're keeping a sense of humor! I love the saracasm! LOL!

[GAYRIGHTatTWITTER]

I see Obama's demands for Mubarack to step down "now" have been stamped: REQUEST DENIED. Follow me at GAYRIGHT on Twitter.

[USMC-Mom]

"Mubarak remains defiant: "I will step down when Barbara Walters does"

lol !!! I love that one!