E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Miller.
A Joe Miller. A stale jest. John Mottley compiled a book of facetiæ in the reign of James II., which he entitled Joe Miller’s Jests, from a witty actor of farce during the time that Congreve’s plays were in vogue. A stale jest is called a “Joe Miller,” implying that it is stolen from Mottley’s compilation. (Joe Miller, 1684–1738.)
