Three minutes and leave 'em in the shell

Question

In the movie "The Story Of Mankind" (1957) Groucho Marx plays the part of Peter Minuit, the man who bought Manhattan Island from the local indians. It's a very brief dialogue. The Indians say "How!" and Groucho responds: "Three minutes and leave 'em in the shell"

¿What is the meaning of the sentence in this context? Any suggested translation to Spanish?

After the deal is arranged, Groucho says the aforementioned sentence again.

Indian: "It's a deal. 24 dollars"
Groucho: "Three minutes and leave 'em in the shell"

I guess it is some kind of idiom or maybe slang.

Gamboler · Accepted Answer

Now, I see that Groucho is joking. Whe the indian chief says "How", he thinks that the indian is asking something like "How do you want your eggs?" So the answer is related to the way he prefers the eggs. Am I right? No idiom, just a cheap joke.

Enoon · Answer

gambolerNow, I see that Groucho is joking. Whe the indian chief says "How", he thinks that the indian is asking something like "How do you want your eggs?" So the answer is related to the way he prefers the eggs. Am I right? No idiom, just a cheap joke.

You're right—it's nothing more than a stupid joke. Groucho's comedy is unique. He often uses complete nonsense. He doesn't think the chief is asking how he wants his eggs, he is making the chief the **** of the joke by pretending to misunderstand, and we as the audience are in on it. I can't explain the second time he says it. Perhaps the action makes it clear. I don't remember the movie.

Three minutes and leave 'em in the shell

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