I’m back to inviting readers to submit quotations whose origins they want me to try to trace, using my book, The Yale Book of Quotations, and my more recent research.
Ewout asked:
Who was the first to say these famous words: “Nothing is certain except for death and taxes.” Some sources mention Ben Franklin, others say Mark Twain or Daniel Defoe. Thanks!
This is usually attributed to Benjamin Franklin, who wrote in a 1789 letter that “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” However, The Yale Book of Quotations quotes “‘Tis impossible to be sure of any thing but Death and Taxes,” from Christopher Bullock, The Cobler of Preston (1716). The YBQ also quotes “Death and Taxes, they are certain,” from Edward Ward, The Dancing Devils (1724).
Do any readers have any other quotations whose origins they would like me to attempt to trace?
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How about “the _____ from Hell” (e.g. “the mother-in-law from Hell”)? Was Richard Lewis really the first to use the expression?
A review of a movie or play: “When it wasn’t putting me to sleep it was keeping me awake.”
“Home is where the heart is.”
I’ve not put much research into this one, but ever since you located my quote’s origin (If at first you don’t succeed…) I have been hearing this one bounce around, from books and novels to friends and family members. Thanks!
I agree with the quote “Nothing is certain except for death and taxes.” Everyone one dies, but not everyone lives. No matter what, you will always have to pay taxes. There will never be a time where this won’t occur.
@11- Cañada Kid: “Home is where the heart is” seems to have arisen almost spontaneously in 1847. But my guess is it could be found as latin engraved on some Roman doorway or such. It would be easy to believe that this kind of motto is a translation from Latin or Spanish or Yiddish. One also has to wonder about the hearth-heart similarity.
“Let’s blow this popsicle stand”
I had heard something about it pertaining to a Jamaican man in the 40s storing radioactive material in a popsicle stand that later exploded, though I have doubts about this source’s credibility.
I propose that we add “shipping & handling” to the list of life’s inevitabilities in our modern age.
“American Dream is the largest Ponzi scheme in human history”