Words

Little boy looking on ground while holding toy: Have you seen the golden screw?
Nanny: Oh honey, we’re all looking for that.

–Central Park

Overheard by: Let me know when you find it

Girl #1: A fawn is an animal? I was just guessing.
Girl #2: Yeah, it's a small deer, like Bambi.
Girl #1: Bambi was a fawn?! I thought he was a cantaloupe!
Girl #2: You mean an “antelope”!

–Union Square Food Emporium

Tall, loud girl to friend: I don't know, I think he really just wants to settle down, you know?
Hobo sitting nearby: Hey! I wanna settle down!

–Broadway & 78th St

Overheard by: Mary

Man: Jesus, I need glasses.
Woman: How come?
Man: That sign, ‘Hot and Crusty.’ A couple of blocks ago it looked like ‘Hat and Cruelty.’ I know this is New York, but that just had to be wrong.

–89th & Broadway

Crazy man: [gibbering]Sane man: Man, you’re crazy.
Crazy man: I’m not crazy. I’m just an instrument out of tune!

–2 train

Overheard by: Claire

Dude #1: Yeah, I'm talking about my scrotum.
Dude #2: Just to be specific.
Dude #1: My nutsack. (pause) Man, I gotta go back to that strip club.

–55th b/w 5th & 6th

Redhead: That woman is such a cunt.
Dressy guy: How come it’s okay for you to say ‘cunt,’ but if I say it you get all up in a snit?
Redhead: It’s like ‘nigger.’ You can only say it if you are one. [Eyes open wide, mouth gapes, mortified] Oh my god, I can’t believe I just said that.

–Nathan’s, Court St, Brooklyn

Overheard by: Big Larry

Daddy to daughter: You don't know what “no” means?
Daddy to wife: We have completely failed as parents.

–Fort Green

Tour guide with a thick accent: Alvight fovlks, vee are about to stop at the Bronx Soo. Anybovy vishing to see animalz need to get off.
Teenage girl #1 to her friend: I don't wanna see no damn Indians, do you?
Teenage girl #2: No, no, honey, not the Sioux. She was talking about the zoo.
Teenage girl #1: Ohhhhh.

–Uptown NY Tour Bus

Editor to sales conference: … And we think this book will do rather well.
Sales rep: One thing — what’s a succubus?
Editor: A succubus is a sex demon. I’m sorry. I should have made that clear.

–Office, 55th & Broadway