When the going gets tough, the quotes get weirder…

THE LEGENDARY SAYING: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”        Widely attributed to Joseph P. Kennedy (1888-1969)        American businessman and patriarch of the Kennedy clan        Thousands of books and websites attribute this quote to Kennedy, though without any specific source. It has also been attributed to various other celebrities, such as football coach Vince Lombardi. My guess is that it’s a modern proverbial saying with no specific origin.

THE PANTLESS TOUGH GUY APPLICATION: “WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH TAKE OFF THEIR PANTS.”        Caption used for the photo at left when it was posted on the Feb. 2, 2015 “Day in Pictures” feature on the San Francisco Chronicle website. The rest of the caption explained: “A competitor runs through a puddle in the ‘Tough Guy’ adventure race near Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, West Midlands. The event challenges thousands of tough guys to run through a grueling 200 obstacles, including water, fire and tunnels after a lengthy run at the start.”           (Photo: Oli Scarff, AFP/Getty Images)

THE UNREAL BLONDES VERSION: “When Times Get Tough, the Tough Go Shopping.”        The Real Housewives of Orange County “reality” show        Episode title, Season 5, Episode 1 (First aired November 5, 2009)

THE GONZO VERSION: “When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.”        Hunter S. Thompson (1937-2005)        American “gonzo” journalist        In his book Kingdom of Fear (2003)

LASORDA’S VARIATION: “When the going gets easy, watch out! You may be going downhill.”        Tommy Lasorda (b. 1927)        American baseball pitcher and manager        In the book Life Lessons from Little League Revisited (2005) by Vincent Fortanasce & Tommy Lasorda

ANIMAL POLITICS VARIATION: “When the waterhole gets smaller, the animals get meaner.”         African proverb

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