Brooklyn

What's More American Than Wednesday One-Liners?

Guy on cell: Come on, one third of Americans don't pay their taxes. I want to be one of them.

–7th Ave & Garfield, Brooklyn

Guy on cell: Does he know where he is? This is America–this is America. They makin' ice cream every second! I don't know what he's complainin' about, they got chains makin' food 24 hours a day…they even makin' milk on Christmas!

–NJ Transit

Overheard by: Tess

Obnoxious black guy to another: I was watchin' a special on tv last night talkin' about how gays can't be in the war! When they find out the whole America is gay, we're screwed!

–45th & 9th

Construction worker to another: Hell, I could break down George Bush in a debate. And I'm a fuckin' plumber! (pause) I hate my damn nation…

–Dunkin' Donuts, Astoria, Queens

Conductor: This is the r local to Continental… Forest Hills… Queens… USA!

–R Train

Overheard by: Mugsy's Moll

Kind of Like “Puerterrific!”

Girl: He’s so hotly Jewy. He gives me hot Jew-boy fever.
Guy: I like it when an entire race of people can be summed up in one word.
Girl: It’s a compliment.

–Donut House, Court Street

If We've Been Bad, New York Is Where We Go After Death

Young lady: I'm making a documentary on Park Slope. May I ask you why you are sitting on your umbrella? I can understand sitting under your umbrella, because it's sunny…
Young girl: In case there's a flood, I'll be able to float away.
Young lady: Do you expect there to be a flood today?
Young girl: I expect there to be a flood every day. But I'm from Miami…

–Union St, Brooklyn

Overheard by: nicole p

Wednesday One-Liners Ain't Got the Money, Honey

Older man, to no one in particular: That's why I keep my income low, so no one jumps me.

–Myrtle & Clinton, Brooklyn

Woman with scratch-off lotto card to friend: I won four dollars! I won four dollars! You know I can't spend that, though. I gotta get food for my kids. Those niggas be hungry!

–Staten Island Ferry

Angelic-looking teen girl screaming into cell: Are you coming to the movies with me? You're broke? Just mug someone on the way. Mug someone! (pause) Mug! M-u-g! Rhymes with "thug"!

–Chambers & West St

Puerto Rican dude on cell: I ain't got no money. I got weed, but I ain't got no money.

–25th St & 7th Ave

Village lady: She was in foreclosure before it was fashionable to be in foreclosure.

–Bleecker & Mercer

I Just Gave Her a Rim Job While She Read Me Stories

Dad: I’m not sleeping with the nanny.
Son: Right, and I totally did not sleep with my fourth step-mommy.

–Gift shop, 42nd St

Overheard by: ears/wide/open

Wednesday One-Liners Have a Freak Flag, and They’re Gonna Fly It

Carnie: Come play Shoot the Freak! What d’ya come to Coney Island for, to swim in dirty water?

–Boardwalk, Coney Island

Overheard by: Jena

Guy: Shut up and never call me again, you freak.

–56th & 13th, Brooklyn

Overheard by: bobby

Peddler: Coney Island Freak Show t-shirts! It’s the new Gucci!

–Siren Music Fest, Coney Island

Overheard by: Sinestro

Yet Another Drawback of Abstinence-Only Education

White guy to girl: You know both these guys are Muslim, so don’t piss them off. Muslims don’t care if they die because then they’ll get 72 virgins.
Muslim #1: It’s not 72 virgins, it’s 45 virgins.
Muslim #2: I thought it was 40 virgins.
White guy: But a Muslim person told me that it was 72 virgins.
Muslim #1: What are you gonna do with 72 virgins, man?
White guy: The same thing you’re gonna do with 45 virgins, but I would get tired of telling them what to do.

–MetroTech, Lawrence St

Overheard by: Jannine Ramlochan

Now Recruiting: Army of Trashed Spies

Drunk Jersey girl #1: I can never submit anything to Overheard in New York
Drunk Jersey girl #2: Why not? You’re in New York more than you’re in Jersey.
Drunk Jersey girl #1: Yeah but by the time I get home I’m drunk and I forget what I heard.
Drunk Jersey girl #2: You’re a fuckin’ mess. Get a laptop.

–5th Ave & Union

Hope You Had a Happy Independence Day, NY

A couple watched the fireworks.

Wife: Oh my god! They was so close! I got ashes in my hair! Ashes in my face! They were all over the fucking place!
Husband: Too bad they weren’t shootin’ off corned beef!

–Greenpoint

Overheard by: Gurnsonian the Lesser

Guy: The smell of fireworks always reminds me of fucking a dead hooker.

–McCarren Park, Williamsburg

Overheard by: Dan

Stewardess: To all US citizens aboard this flight, happy 4th of July. We would like to thank England for divorcing us several centuries ago and giving us our independence!

–JFK flight into Heathrow

Overheard by: Jeanne Fu

Girl #1: Are you able to go on your roof to watch the Macy’s fireworks?
Girl #2: I don’t even know if my building has a roof.

–Brooklyn Heights

Overheard by: Room 3

Girl on cell: How the hell am I supposed to know what time the fireworks start? Who do you think I am, America?

–Cobble Hill

Overheard by: Chris

Plus, We Both Like Ice Cream. And the Beatles!

Bimbo #1: Yeah, I really think I like him. We get along so well. I mean, we have a lot in common.
Bimbo #2: Oh yeah? Like what?
Bimbo #1: Well, we both love pugs.
Bimbo #2: As in the type of dog? Everyone loves pugs. How can you not like pugs? They are so fucking cute.
Bimbo #1 (challengingly): Yeah? Well, how about this one? Both of our dads died in plane crashes.
Bimbo #2: Oh. My. God. You are sooo meant to be together.

–Brooklyn Bound N Train

Overheard by: totes meant to be

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