It’s likely the first name in recorded history - that is, in writing - wasn’t a god, a poet, great philosopher, mighty warrior or a king or queen. In fact, according to Sapiens, a dazzling book by Yuval Noah Hatari, it belonged to a Sumerian administrator circa 3,400 BCE. The man’s name was Kushim and he was an accountant. As you get your taxes done in advance of April 15th, a kind word for the man or woman who prepares the return is in order. Somewhere, Kushim is smiling. I’ve tried to find - or write - a genuinely funny accountant joke. They’re all hacky, including my own: An account walks into a bar and the bartend asks, “What would you like to drink?” He replies, “Well, what did I have last year?” Told you.
© 2024 John Oliver
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