"If my mother knew I did this for a living, she'd kill me. She thinks I'm selling dope"

This quote by Henny Youngman, a distinguished comedian known for his one-liners, skillfully plays on the expectations and assumptions often held by parents about their children's professions. At first glance, the declaration may appear contradictory or complicated, but its humor depends on the unexpected twist presented by the latter half of the quote.

The setup starts with an apparently major admission: "If my mom understood I did this for a living, she 'd eliminate me". This line instantly develops intrigue and issue, as it recommends the speaker is engaged in an activity so dishonest that their own mother would be aghast. The phrase "she 'd eliminate me" is, naturally, hyperbolic and a typical expression suggesting serious disapproval rather than an actual danger, already setting the phase for comedic exaggeration.

The punchline, "She believes I'm selling dope", delivers the comedic twist. Here, Youngman turns the narrative, implying that his actual profession is, in some paradoxical or unreasonable method, worse or more outrageous than being a drug dealership-- a career frequently considered among the most unwanted and worrying in the eyes of parents. The humor emerges from this unforeseen turnaround of expectations, as a lot of activities, specifically a genuine occupation like funny, would be less bothering to a parent than drug dealing.

Thus, Youngman utilizes this joke to highlight both his mother's misunderstandings and the stigmatization or undervaluation often experienced by individuals in unconventional professions, especially in entertainment. It's a tongue-in-cheek recommendation of the generational and cultural spaces in understanding task authenticity and stability.

Ultimately, this quote is a smart example of comical misdirection, using social standards and expectations to deliver a funny and thought-provoking punchline that welcomes audiences to review the subjective nature of judgment and the amusing misconceptions that can develop between generations concerning profession options.