--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I met the surgeon general - he offered me…" description: "\"I met the surgeon general - he offered me a cigarette.\" — Rodney Dangerfield" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/rodney-dangerfield-755_cigarette_i-met-the-surgeon-general-he-offered-me_3133372.jpg" --- # I met the surgeon general - he offered me a cigarette. ![“I met the surgeon general - he offered me a cigarette.” quote by Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/rodney-dangerfield-755_cigarette_i-met-the-surgeon-general-he-offered-me_3133372.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/rodney-dangerfield-755_cigarette_i-met-the-surgeon-general-he-offered-me_3133372.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/rodney-dangerfield-755_cigarette_i-met-the-surgeon-general-he-offered-me_3133372.jpg) > “I met the surgeon general - he offered me a cigarette.” [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A joke highlights the irony of a health official offering a harmful habit, exposing hypocrisy. **In simple terms:** Even health leaders can be contradictory. Key Takeaway Question authority with humor. Themes irony health hypocrisy Mood witty satirical Type comedic critical When to use this quote - political speeches - medical advice - media interviews Key Concepts public health social critique Questions to Reflect On - Why do we laugh at contradictions? - What does this reveal about public trust? A Different Perspective Humor may dilute serious health messages. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cigarette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cigarette/) [General Offered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/general-offered-5551364/) [Offered Cigarette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/offered-cigarette-5551363/) [Surgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surgeon/) [Surgeon General](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surgeon-general-361751/) ## Related quotes > [Well, we're just a couple of weeks from new President Barack Obama being sworn in. And he's been very busy naming a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/well-we-re-just-a-couple-of-weeks-from-new-president-barack-obama/) [David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/) > [I think people align themselves with my way of thinking when they're talking to me. They try to create new avenues for me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myron-rolle/i-think-people-align-themselves-with-my-way-of-thinking-when-they-re/) [Myron Rolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myron-rolle/) > [I really think the most important thing I do is to protect the dignity and the integrity of the Office of the Surgeon General.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/i-really-think-the-most-important-thing-i-do-is-to-protect-the/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [When I went through my confirmation hearing to serve as surgeon general they asked me what my priorities would be and I didn't list…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivek-murthy/when-i-went-through-my-confirmation-hearing-to-serve-as-surgeon/) [Vivek Murthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivek-murthy/) > [By the way, what happened to our surgeon general who warned us about AIDS and smoking? That position has been completely stripped of power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-david/by-the-way-what-happened-to-our-surgeon-general-who-warned-us-about/) [Laurie David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-david/) > [A grateful world, nation and cadre of surgeons general who followed in his shadow are forever indebted to Surgeon General Koop's wisdom, fortitude, integrity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/a-grateful-world-nation-and-cadre-of-surgeons-general-who-followed-in/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [I've had opportunities before to run for office - the Republicans recruited me when I was surgeon general, to run for Congress, to run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/i-ve-had-opportunities-before-to-run-for-office-the-republicans/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [C. Everett 'Chic' Koop became U.S. Surgeon General under President Reagan. He was a world renowned pediatric surgeon who had a tumultuous Senate confirmation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/c-everett-chic-koop-became-u-s-surgeon-general-under-president-reagan/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [When I came home after my statutory term as surgeon general, I just resumed my life here in southern Arizona. Teaching at the university;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/when-i-came-home-after-my-statutory-term-as-surgeon-general-i-just/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [The overarching issue, really, is our surgeon general should be able to communicate transparently and honestly with the American public on all issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/the-overarching-issue-really-is-our-surgeon-general-should-be-able-to/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [When I began my tenure as surgeon general, I did not intend to focus on emotional well-being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivek-murthy/when-i-began-my-tenure-as-surgeon-general-i-did-not-intend-to-focus/) [Vivek Murthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivek-murthy/) > [As 17th U.S. Surgeon General, I was privileged to serve as the nation's doctor. I focused much of my time on promoting proven programs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/as-17th-u-s-surgeon-general-i-was-privileged-to-serve-as-the-nation-s/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [A lot of people have misconceptions about what the surgeon general does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivek-murthy/a-lot-of-people-have-misconceptions-about-what-the-surgeon-general/) [Vivek Murthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivek-murthy/) > [I do not intend to use the Surgeon General's Office as a bully pulpit for gun control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivek-murthy/i-do-not-intend-to-use-the-surgeon-general-s-office-as-a-bully-pulpit/) [Vivek Murthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivek-murthy/) > [Well, the responsibility of the surgeon general is to make sure that the public has access to science and access to it in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivek-murthy/well-the-responsibility-of-the-surgeon-general-is-to-make-sure-that/) [Vivek Murthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivek-murthy/) ## More by Rodney Dangerfield > [For Christmas one year I bought my son a BB gun. He bought me a t-shirt with a bulls eye on the back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/for-christmas-one-year-i-bought-my-son-a-bb-gun-he-bought-me-a-t/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [I knew a girl so ugly, she had a face like a saint-a Saint Bernard!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/i-knew-a-girl-so-ugly-she-had-a-face-like-a-saint-a-saint-bernard/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [Every time I get in an elevator, the operator says the same thing to me: 'Basement?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/every-time-i-get-in-an-elevator-the-operator-says-the-same-thing-to/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [My wife and I were happy for 20 years. Then we met.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/my-wife-and-i-were-happy-for-20-years-then-we-met/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [She failed her drivers test. She couldn't get used to the front seat. It took her four lessons to learn to sit up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/she-failed-her-drivers-test-she-couldn-t-get-used-to-the-front-seat/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [I tell ya when I was a kid, all I knew was rejection. My yo-yo, it never came back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/i-tell-ya-when-i-was-a-kid-all-i-knew-was-rejection-my-yo-yo-it-never/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [I don't care how rich and successful a man is. He's nothing without an education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/i-don-t-care-how-rich-and-successful-a-man-is-he-s-nothing-without-an/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [I went to a massage parlor, it was self service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/i-went-to-a-massage-parlor-it-was-self-service/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [What a childhood I had. My parents sent me to a child psychiatrist. The kid didn't help me at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/what-a-childhood-i-had-my-parents-sent-me-to-a-child-psychiatrist-the/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [She was so fat that her belly button makes an echo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/she-was-so-fat-that-her-belly-button-makes-an-echo/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [One night I came home. I figured, let my wife come on. I'll play it cool. Let her make the first move. She went…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/one-night-i-came-home-i-figured-let-my-wife-come-on-i-ll-play-it-cool/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [I'm a bad lover. Once I caught a peeping tom booing me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/i-m-a-bad-lover-once-i-caught-a-peeping-tom-booing-me/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [I tell ya, I knew my morning wasn't going right. When I put on my shirt the button fell off, when I picked up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/i-tell-ya-i-knew-my-morning-wasn-t-going-right-when-i-put-on-my-shirt/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [My wife has teeth like the stars... they come out at night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/my-wife-has-teeth-like-the-stars-they-come-out-at-night/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [It's tough to stay married. My wife kisses the dog on the lips, yet she won't drink from my glass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/it-s-tough-to-stay-married-my-wife-kisses-the-dog-on-the-lips-yet-she/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) [Explore all 378 Rodney Dangerfield quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) ## More Cigarette quotes > [“Yeah,' I said and started smoking another cigarette. Unless I inform you otherwise, I'm always smoking another cigarette.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-amis/yeah-i-said-and-started-smoking-another-cigarette-unless-i-inform-you/) [Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/) > [Books were always important. I have to thank my father, he filled my life with books. He didn't write but he always read. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rawi-hage/books-were-always-important-i-have-to-thank-my-father-he-filled-my/) [Rawi Hage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rawi-hage/) > [The risk of developing carcinoma of the lung increases steadily as the amount smoked increases. If the risk among non-smokers is taken as unity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-doll/the-risk-of-developing-carcinoma-of-the-lung-increases-steadily-as/) [Richard Doll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-doll/) > [We have too many preacherettes preaching too many sermonettes to too many Christianettes smoking cigarettes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-ravenhill/we-have-too-many-preacherettes-preaching-too-many-sermonettes-to-too/) [Leonard Ravenhill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-ravenhill/) > [Since I don't smoke, I decided to grow a mustache - it is better for the health. However, I always carried a jewel-studded cigarette…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/since-i-don-t-smoke-i-decided-to-grow-a-mustache-it-is-better-for-the/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) > [If the fact that people make poor decisions is reason enough for the government to second-guess their decisions about dangerous activities such as smoking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-sullum/if-the-fact-that-people-make-poor-decisions-is-reason-enough-for-the/) [Jacob Sullum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-sullum/) > [“When I was young” … “Before I was twenty, I mean, I used to think that life was a thing that kept gaining impetus,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-bowles/when-i-was-young-before-i-was-twenty-i-mean-i-used-to-think-that-life/) [Paul Bowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-bowles/) > [They represent tomorrow's cigarette business. . . As this 14-24 age group matures, they will account for a key share of the total cigarette…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-j-reynolds/they-represent-tomorrow-s-cigarette-business-as-this-14-24-age-group/) [R. J. Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-j-reynolds/) > [If all boys could be made to know that with every breath of cigarette smoke they inhale imbecility and exhale manhood ... and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hudson-maxim/if-all-boys-could-be-made-to-know-that-with-every-breath-of-cigarette/) [Hudson Maxim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hudson-maxim/) > [The ratings thing is the real issue. It really hurts movies. For example, in Redbelt, I smoked. The whole plot of my character was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-mortimer/the-ratings-thing-is-the-real-issue-it-really-hurts-movies-for/) [Emily Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-mortimer/) > [I am a completely horizontal author. I can't think unless I'm lying down, either in bed or stretched on a couch and with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-brown/i-am-a-completely-horizontal-author-i-can-t-think-unless-i-m-lying/) [Dan Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-brown/) > [They should give until it hurts, maybe a very small thing, maybe just a packet of cigarettes, but instead of by smoking that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/they-should-give-until-it-hurts-maybe-a-very-small-thing-maybe-just-a/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [You can accept or reject the way you are treated by other people, but until you heal the wounds of your past, you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/you-can-accept-or-reject-the-way-you-are-treated-by-other-people-but/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [Then he bummed a cigarette.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/then-he-bummed-a-cigarette/) [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) > [You're a religious man, ... You believe in God and life after death. I also believe. When we come to the other world and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-wiesenthal/you-re-a-religious-man-you-believe-in-god-and-life-after-death-i-also/) [Simon Wiesenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-wiesenthal/) [Browse all 787 Cigarette quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cigarette/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I met the surgeon general - he offered me a cigarette.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rodney Dangerfield" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/i-met-the-surgeon-general-he-offered-me-a-cigarette/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cigarette" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/i-met-the-surgeon-general-he-offered-me-a-cigarette/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/rodney-dangerfield-755_cigarette_i-met-the-surgeon-general-he-offered-me_3133372.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/rodney-dangerfield-755_cigarette_i-met-the-surgeon-general-he-offered-me_3133372.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/rodney-dangerfield-755_cigarette_i-met-the-surgeon-general-he-offered-me_3133372.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I met the surgeon general - he offered me a cigarette.” — Rodney Dangerfield", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Rodney Dangerfield", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I met the surgeon general -...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/i-met-the-surgeon-general-he-offered-me-a-cigarette/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/i-met-the-surgeon-general-he-offered-me-a-cigarette/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```