I don’t really understand these jokes. I’ve looked at the tag, and it says do not remove except by consumer. So are all the people in line salesmen? Why were they pulling the tags off in the first place? Salesmen shouldn’t pull the label off of any product as far as I am concerned.
At one time the label read “do not remove” under penalty of law. I don’t recall when the “except by consumer” language was added. People of my generation always feared the “Kapok Inspector.” Oh great, no one knows what kapok is.
Removing mattress tags has been a source of a great many jokes. Until recently, most mattress tags contained the bold statement that removing the tag was illegal and punishable by law. This may have frightened some children who actually ripped off mattress tags, but the warning was never meant to apply to people who had actually purchased a mattress.
Concern arose in the early 20th century regarding the materials used to make mattresses. Some of the materials could contain a host of nasty chemicals or materials that easily conducted illnesses or harbored pests like body lice. As such, the US government sought to address this by requiring manufacturers of mattresses to place mattress tags on their wares, clearly defining the contents of the mattress. Thus consumers could make an informed choice and steer clear of mattresses stuffed with dangerous materials.
However, listing the materials meant that some mattresses would simply not sell, because of their materials. This led to new US laws, which not only required mattress tags but also were stamped in bold letters with the message “Do not remove under penalty of law."
However, many people were actually not aware the law was intended for mattress dealers, hence the jokes began regarding people serving hard time for removing mattress tags. Finally, enough public concern arose in the last decade to change to the message so it was clear a consumer could remove the mattress tags without suffering FBI raids or possible unknown imprisonment for committing this “serious” crime.
It is important, for a consumer to look at mattress tags since they give one pertinent information. First, if the mattress tags have been removed, it’s difficult to ascertain the filling components of the mattress. Second, an unscrupulous dealer might attempt to resell a used mattress as new. If the mattress tags are removed, it’s fairly clear someone previously owned the mattress.Even though the laws prohibiting mattress dealers from removing mattress tags sound unbelievably grim on the actual tag, few states actually conduct mattress inspections to assure that tags remain in place. However, as a consumer, conducting your own inspection can help you find the best mattress. Once it is delivered, feel free to gleefully remove all mattress tags without fear of criminal prosecution.
Ellis-Christensen, Tricia, O. Wallace, ed. “Why Can’t You Take the Tag off of a Mattress?” Conjecture Corporation. http://www.wisegeek.com/why-cant-you-take-the-tag-off-of-a-mattress.htm (accessed August 11, 2011).
galanti: I do, I do! It is the fiber from a tropical seed pod that was used in life preservers because the waxy coating of the fibers repelled water. Most of it came from Indonesia (Dutch East Indies in those days), so in WW-II we collected milkweed as a substitute.
Ooops! Premium Member over 13 years ago
I knew it! Well….sort of, I thought I would go to jail. Gee, I’m glad I never removed that tag.
phuhknees over 13 years ago
It ain’t so bad – look – their clothes aren’t burning and the Demon’s wearing tiny high-heels. They must be in Heck.
Elaine Rosco Premium Member over 13 years ago
Lol…to this day I still stop before I pull off one of those dam tags!
notinksanymore over 13 years ago
I don’t really understand these jokes. I’ve looked at the tag, and it says do not remove except by consumer. So are all the people in line salesmen? Why were they pulling the tags off in the first place? Salesmen shouldn’t pull the label off of any product as far as I am concerned.
taker49 over 13 years ago
Geez, the punishments you receive anymore for any small infractions
cujosmom over 13 years ago
Yeah, Notinksanymore is right. This is a stale joke…yawn
galanti over 13 years ago
At one time the label read “do not remove” under penalty of law. I don’t recall when the “except by consumer” language was added. People of my generation always feared the “Kapok Inspector.” Oh great, no one knows what kapok is.
libbydog over 13 years ago
Never removed those tags, no matter what is says. Don’t want to be one of those “most wanted”
REDROCKER51 over 13 years ago
I REMOVED THE ONE ON MINE, AND YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED??? NOW MY MATTRESS DON’T HAVE A TAG !!!!!
LFate over 13 years ago
I still don’t remove the tag even though now I know I won’t end up in prison. I do remember being in fear of ripping that tag off accidentally.
ComicsR4Fun Premium Member over 13 years ago
Removing mattress tags has been a source of a great many jokes. Until recently, most mattress tags contained the bold statement that removing the tag was illegal and punishable by law. This may have frightened some children who actually ripped off mattress tags, but the warning was never meant to apply to people who had actually purchased a mattress.
Concern arose in the early 20th century regarding the materials used to make mattresses. Some of the materials could contain a host of nasty chemicals or materials that easily conducted illnesses or harbored pests like body lice. As such, the US government sought to address this by requiring manufacturers of mattresses to place mattress tags on their wares, clearly defining the contents of the mattress. Thus consumers could make an informed choice and steer clear of mattresses stuffed with dangerous materials.
However, listing the materials meant that some mattresses would simply not sell, because of their materials. This led to new US laws, which not only required mattress tags but also were stamped in bold letters with the message “Do not remove under penalty of law."
However, many people were actually not aware the law was intended for mattress dealers, hence the jokes began regarding people serving hard time for removing mattress tags. Finally, enough public concern arose in the last decade to change to the message so it was clear a consumer could remove the mattress tags without suffering FBI raids or possible unknown imprisonment for committing this “serious” crime.
It is important, for a consumer to look at mattress tags since they give one pertinent information. First, if the mattress tags have been removed, it’s difficult to ascertain the filling components of the mattress. Second, an unscrupulous dealer might attempt to resell a used mattress as new. If the mattress tags are removed, it’s fairly clear someone previously owned the mattress.Even though the laws prohibiting mattress dealers from removing mattress tags sound unbelievably grim on the actual tag, few states actually conduct mattress inspections to assure that tags remain in place. However, as a consumer, conducting your own inspection can help you find the best mattress. Once it is delivered, feel free to gleefully remove all mattress tags without fear of criminal prosecution.
Ellis-Christensen, Tricia, O. Wallace, ed. “Why Can’t You Take the Tag off of a Mattress?” Conjecture Corporation. http://www.wisegeek.com/why-cant-you-take-the-tag-off-of-a-mattress.htm (accessed August 11, 2011).
rw1h over 13 years ago
…….and all you who folded, spindled, or mutilated punched cards back in the 60s and 70s, line up on the left………
hippogriff over 13 years ago
galanti: I do, I do! It is the fiber from a tropical seed pod that was used in life preservers because the waxy coating of the fibers repelled water. Most of it came from Indonesia (Dutch East Indies in those days), so in WW-II we collected milkweed as a substitute.