220 221 whatever it takes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX3kxAA2L4Q

I had always figured that Ron knew that you don't wire a living room with 220 volts, and he was slyly baiting Jack with the 220 comment, which Jack fell for. But then again, your point is valid: maybe neither of them knew what they were talking about, so they both come across looking like idiots.

Jack was supposed to be an engineer, too. Granted he wasn't an electrical engineer, but still.

Come on guys it's a great joke! And it was for a wing being added, not a dining room which makes it absurd as well. Ron was being an ass to Jack and it was setting up a big part of the storyline. But you nailed it, Ron didn't know anything either and for those that caught it they knew he was equally as clueless as to "manly things"-unless he was from Canada where that's what they indeed use.

To this day my husband and I use that joke, "We were never in aisle 7, Irv!" and "I'm starting to like it!" When a small joke has carried on for SO long and passed down for 2 generation (movie as well obviously) it is, in my book, a funny bit of writing.

This movie was a hit when it came out and is still funny as I watch it tonight. I'm sad that it has such an average rating. This was the first of the "switching" movies that hit in the 80's and was, imho the best along with Big.