In everyday language, this statement reflects a moment when someone noticed that it was already October but only because they observed a particular sports team—specifically, the Chicago Cubs—underperforming in their games. The phrase "choking" suggests that the team was not playing up to expectations or past performance levels.
The deeper meaning of this quote touches on how significant events and cultural references can mark the passage of time for individuals. In this case, the speaker uses a sports-related event to identify the season as October. It also highlights the common experience of being surprised by the swift passage of time due to personal interests or societal trends dominating one's awareness. Jay Leno cleverly points out that sometimes our calendars and daily routines are less influential in marking time than specific events, such as a team’s performance, which can resonate more deeply with us.
Jay Leno is an American comedian known for his work hosting "The Tonight Show" for over two decades. His humor often draws on everyday observations, sports references, and the cultural zeitgeist of the moment, making him well-suited to comment on such specific and relatable instances as this quote about the Chicago Cubs' performance during a particular season.