I've been listening to old radio a lot - think Jack Benny, Jimmy Durante, George and Gracie etc.
In several episodes they make a joke about someone marrying a smudgepot. Usually something like "No, we never had children. You see, I married a smudgepot. But we are lousy with oranges."
Now, I know what a smudgepot is, but I don't understand the married/lousy with oranges comments. Google was no help so I hope someone here knows what the heck they mean.
If I remember correctly, there was a freeze in California somewhere in the 1910's that killed most of the citrus trees. Smudge pots can be used to keep the trees from freezing, so, because she married a smudgepot they have plenty of citrus.
The part about marrying a smudge pot I don't understand either. Hopefully someone else can fill us in.