Well, my wife and I were married in a toilet - it was a marriage of convenience!

The quote, "Well, my wife and I were married in a toilet - it was a marriage of convenience!", comes from Tommy Cooper, a British comedian and magician known for his slapstick humor and one-liners. Cooper was a master of physical comedy and absurd humor, and this particular line exemplifies his style—combining an unexpected and seemingly ridiculous image (being married in a toilet) with a witty twist. The phrase "marriage of convenience" adds a layer of irony, suggesting that the marriage was not based on love or romance, but instead on practical or humorous circumstances.

The term "marriage of convenience" typically refers to a union formed for reasons other than love, often for legal, financial, or social benefits. In Cooper's case, by linking the idea of a marriage of convenience to the humorous image of a toilet, he exaggerates the situation to create comedic effect. The contrast between the traditional romantic view of marriage and the absurdity of the scenario adds to the humorous nature of the joke.

Cooper’s humor often involved taking ordinary situations and adding an element of absurdity or surprise. In this case, the incongruity of the wedding setting (a toilet) serves as a comic exaggeration that both pokes fun at the seriousness with which people usually approach marriage and comments on the practicality—or lack thereof—of certain life decisions. The quote plays on the contrast between romantic expectations and the reality of human relationships.

Ultimately, this quote highlights Tommy Cooper’s genius in using humor to subvert social norms and expectations. By transforming something as sacred and significant as marriage into an absurd and casual affair, he underscores the funny side of life’s more serious institutions. The line reflects his trademark style of self-deprecating humor, where the audience is encouraged to laugh at the ridiculousness of situations that are usually taken too seriously.