I Should Have Just Referenced Coolio's Line From Gangsta's Paradise

When I turned 24 my friend, Grafton deButts said that I went from the "Jordan year to the Gordon year."  We laughed at his wit, and obviously knew he was talking about Michael Jordan, Bulls jersey number 23 and Jeff Gordon, race car number 24.  Duh.

Jon has a friend from work whose wife recently turned 24.  I was trying to make conversation!  I was trying to be witty!  (Bad idea).  Recalling Grafton's success with that comment many moons ago, I thought I'd try it out.. ya know, get a chuckle or two, win a few friends.  I mean, I've heard jokes fall flat many times in my day, but this was awful. 
Womp.

After I said it, it was like the whole restaurant went quiet and all the patrons knew I said something really stupid.  Sweet Jon couldn't even help me; I was just dangling out there.  Quickly, rather than make it about the age gap, I blamed the miscommunication on a Virginia/NASCAR thing. (Way cooler, obviously.  Great recovery.  NASCAR! Really, Erin?)  Which maybe made sense?  Everyone else at the table hailed from far-away states like Illinois, Texas, Arizona and Nevada.

At least, this is what I keep telling myself.

Oy vey.