I can see how you might think Al Franken had coined the expression if you had never heard it before, but it was an expression my mother when I was growing up -- and she died in 1984.
When Al picked up the tab for dinner he joked about me being a tightwad; I felt bad because I figured he was probably kidding on the square.
by PaulDee March 25, 2004
Nick: Hey, Frank, how's the wife treatin' ya?
Frank: Fuck you, Nick.
Nick: Kidding on the square, Frank!
Frank: Fuck you, Nick.
Nick: Kidding on the square, Frank!
by Dorian Black June 08, 2005