Ex-New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg tried to joke about the Naked Cowboy during Tuesday's Democratic debate but left the audience puzzled, as many Americans have never heard of the famous street performer from Times Square, who is, for obvious reasons, known mainly to New Yorkers.
"I think what's right for New York City isn't necessarily right for all the other cities, otherwise you'd have the Naked Cowboy in every city, so let's get serious here", Bloomberg said.
Following the debate, people started to frantically google the meaning of the joke, and #nakedcowboy was soon trending on Twitter.
Numerous users pointed out that the joke was a bit far-fetched because the cowboy wasn't really that famous outside the confines of the city, that is, before the ex-mayor's name-drop at the debates.
Others just made light of the joke and about the audience's reaction.