In the popular TV show Friends, one of the long-running jokes revolved around the characters’ confusion about Chandler Bing’s job. In the fourth season episode “The One with the Embryos,” Rachel and Monica lost their apartment in a quiz because they couldn’t correctly identify Chandler’s profession.

Rachel tried to recall, mentioning something about numbers and the fact that Chandler carries a briefcase. Monica, feeling the pressure, blurted out that Chandler’s job had something to do with “transponding.” However, as Monica later pointed out, that wasn’t Chandler’s job, nor was it even a real word.

Throughout the show’s ten-year run, Chandler’s job remained deliberately vague. However, it was eventually revealed that he worked in the field of “statistical analysis and data reconfiguration.” It was a job that didn’t quite capture his interest, leading him to quit and pursue a new career as an advertising copywriter.

In the ninth season episode “Where Rachel Goes Back to Work,” Chandler considered returning to his old job. However, Monica encouraged him to find a job that he truly loved, rather than going back to the world of statistical analysis and data reconfiguration.

Chandler was bemused by Monica’s comment, wondering why she hadn’t bothered to learn about his job when he was still working. This ongoing confusion and mystery surrounding Chandler’s job added humor to the show and became one of its most memorable running jokes.