W. S. Gilbert wrote a large number of "ballads" for the magazine Fun using his pen-name "Bab." These Bab Ballads became famous on their own, as well as being a source for plots and songs for the G&S operas.

The paper Fun was launched in 1861. Gilbert wrote a "funny article" and sent it to the paper, along with a drawing on wood. The editors thought that it was so good that Gilbert was requested to "write articles and supply drawings for as long as he can hold a pen in his hand."Although Gilbert believed that he had nothing more to say, under the pressure of deadlines he found that even when he had nothing to say, he could say it in a column of verse or prose.