Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Joe Miller \Joe" Mil"ler\ [From Joseph Miller, a comic actor,
   whose name was attached, after his death, to a popular jest
   book published in 1739.]
   A jest book; a stale jest; a worn-out joke. [Colloq.]

         It is an old Joe Miller in whist circles, that there
         are only two reasons that can justify you in not
         returning trumps to your partner's lead; i. e., first,
         sudden illness; secondly, having none.   --Pole.