“A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”

THE FAMOUS UNCF SLOGAN: “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”         Advertising tagline used by the United Negro College Fund since 1972         The slogan was coined in 1971 by Forest Long, an executive with the Young & Rubicam ad agency. The campaign using the slogan was launched in earnest in 1972. It has helped raise more than $2.2 billion and helped more than 350,000 minority students graduate from college.         Over the decades, it has also sparked many serious and humorous variations. Some of my faves are shown below.

THE PLUS SIDE OF THE COVID PANDEMIC: “A pandemic is a terrible thing to waste. There’s some good things that have come out of that; we can work remote two or three days a week and we can have flexible schedules. It's not 8 to 5.”                        Phil Blair        Co-owner of Manpower Staffing Services of San Diego        In an interview on in March 2022

ROMER’S OFT-RECYCLED CRISIS QUIP: “A crisis is a terrible thing to waste.”         Paul Romer         American economist         Romer is credited with coining this saying in a 2004 venture capital meeting in California.         It was picked by and recycled in various ways by other economic and political observers. The best-known political use was by Rahm Emanuel, when he was Chief of Staff for President Barack Obama. In a soon widely-quoted interview at a Wall Street Journal CEO Council forum on November 19, 2008, Emanuel said: “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. What I mean by that is an opportunity to do things that you think you could not do before.” Rahm was speaking about the 2008 bank crisis in particular, but said the principle should also be applied to other areas facing serious problems, such as health care, energy, and education.

THE CLASSIC MEL BROOKS MOVIE QUIP: The Sheriff of Rottingham (actor Roger Rees) “Kill him!” [Referring to a mime who tried to entertain him and Prince John at a banquet.] Prince John (actor Richard Lewis): “You know, a mime is a terrible thing to waste.” The Sheriff: “ Let him go.”         In the movie Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), directed by Mel Brooks and co-written by him, Evan Chandler and J. David Shapiro.

THE CLASSIC SHIRLEY MACLAINE MOVIE QUIP: Ouiser Boudreaux (actress Shirley MacLaine): “A dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste.”         In the movie Steel Magnolias (1989)

THE AVID COMPOSTER’S RULE: “Compost...Because a Rind is a Terrible Thing to Waste!”         Title of a composting manual by Jean Bonhotal and Karen Rollo, published by the Cornell Waste Management Institute (1996)

THE HAIRY UPPER LIP RULE: “A Mustache Is A Terrible Thing To Shave”         A humorous slogan used by the American Mustache Institute

STERN’S DICKISH VARIATION: “A penis is a terrible thing to waste.”         Howard Stern         American radio and TV show host         Stern used this line for a controversial fundraising effort on behalf of John Bobbit (whose penis had been cut off by his wife Lorena) as part of Stern’s New Year’s Rotten Eve Pageant in 1994. Stern was indeed supportive of John at the time, though many observers now view him as an abusive husband who pushed Lorena to her breaking point. (Portrait of Stern by the great Drew Friedman.)

THE INFAMOUS QUAYLE BLOOPER: “When you take the UNCF model that, what a waste it is to lose one’s mind, or not to have a mind is being very wasteful, how true that is.”         Dan Quayle         Republican politician who served as Vice President of the United States under George Bush (1989-1993)         Quayle became notorious for his malapropisms. He uttered this mangled version of the UNCF slogan at a United Negro College Fund event on May 9, 1989. It quickly became one of the most-cited “Quaylisms” and, among other things, inspired the title of the unauthorized “autobiography” of Quayle, What a Waste It Is to Lose One’s Mind.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Comments? Corrections? Questions? Email me or post them on my Famous Quotations Facebook page.

Related reading, viewing and stuff…

“Never underestimate the power of a woman.”

THE FAMOUS LADIES HOME JOURNAL SLOGAN: “Never underestimate the power of a woman!”         A saying popularized by the Ladies Home Journal through its use as an slogan for the magazine and the headline of a recurring cartoon feature        The Ladies Home Journal was first published in 1883 and has been in print ever since. The editors launched “Never underestimate the power of a woman” as a promotional slogan in the March 1941 issue, which featured a painting of a ballerina on the cover.        The editors didn’t use the term “power” exactly as it might be used today. It wasn’t meant to suggest that women have the power to be equal to men in all ways. It was used to mean that women are smarter than men in many ways and have a superior sense of morality. Thus, they have the power to point men “to the right decisions.”        After being launched, the slogan was used for years in each issue as the headline of a cartoon feature. The cartoons demonstrated the power of women to set examples for men and guide them in the right direction.        Interestingly, the March 1941 issue also had a full-page ad for Chesterfield cigarettes inside, showing that tobacco companies and their pre-Mad Men era ad agencies were at least eager to give women an equal right to smoke.

V.I. WARSHAWSKI’S VERSION: “Never underestimate a man’s ability to underestimate a woman.”        Kathleen Turner        American actress        A quip she makes as the title character of the 1991 movie V.I. Warshawski (based on the series of detective novels written by Sara Paretsky)

AN OPTIMIST’S INSPIRING QUOTE “Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.”        Wilma Rudolph (1940-1994)         American athlete who overcame leg damage from childhood polio and went on to became an Olympic gold medalist        This quote by Rudolph is widely cited, though usually without any specific source or date. In his great book Neverisms, quote maven Dr. Mardy Grothe says it was a remark she made shortly after the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, during which she became the first American to win three track-and-field gold medals.

A PESSIMIST’S COUNTERQUOTE: “Never underestimate the power of human stupidity.”        Robert A. Heinlein (1907-1988)        American author best known for his science fiction stories and novels        A quip from his time travel novel Time Enough for Love: the Lives of Lazarus Long (1973)

THE FRIENDS (WITH BENEFITS) UPDATE: “Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.”         Brendan Bradley        American actor             One of the 100 rules about life of his character Brad in the movie Friends (With Benefits) (2009)

THE TRUE BELIEVERS AXIOM: “Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.”          A quote attributed to the fictional character Caedmon Erb in the sci-fi novel Dune: House Harkonnen (2001), written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson        (The image at left is the logo of The Flat Earth Society.)

THE TESLA CAR RENTAL VARIATION: “Never underestimate the human urge to look like a big-time operator, at least to the valet parking guy.”        Jim Motavalli        American journalist, speaker and book author        In a post on the Mother Nature Network site about Hertz’s recent addition of pricey Tesla electric cars to its rental fleets in certain cities, to appeal to wealthy customers — and wannabe poseurs.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Comments? Corrections? Email me or Post them on the Famous Quotations Facebook page.

“What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas” – or maybe not…

THE (IN)FAMOUS AD SLOGAN: “What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas.”        Ad slogan used since 2005 by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority         This famous nudge-nudge, wink-wink line evolved from the earlier advertising slogan “What Happens Here, Stays Here,” created in 2002 by the Authority’s ad agency R&R Partners, Inc. Both versions suggest (not very subtly) that people can have sexual liaisons or do other wild and crazy things on vacation trips to Las Vegas and keep it secret. The “What Happens in Vegas...” version became the subject of fierce trademark litigation after it began showing up on “unauthorized” t-shirts and other souvenirs. Of course, the basic linguistic formula used in the Vegas ad slogans is not new. For example, a much older saying among traveling salesmen is “What happens on the road, stays on the road.” And, a traditional variation long used by musicians is “What happens on tour, stays on tour.”

THE INDIANA RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT OBSERVATION: “As much as I’d like to think what happens in Indiana stays in Indiana, that’s not likely to be the case. So even if it was convenient and desirable (or even possible) for every progressive Hoosier to move out, it won’t let us quarantine Indiana so that the garbage legislation doesn’t spread.”         Reader comment on a post about the controversy over Indiana's so-called “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” on the progressive blog Shakesville.com        (Cartoon by Darkow via the Columbia Daily Tribune.)

THE VAGUELY PUNNY VARIATION: “Ambiguity: What Happens In Vagueness Stays In Vagueness.”        Slogan on t-shirts sold via CafePress

THE HANGOVER MOVIE VERSION: “Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Except for herpes. That shit’ll come back with you.”        Actor Jeffrey Tambor, as the character Sid Garner, in movie The Hangover (2009)

THE BRANSON HANGOVER VERSION: “You can never leave Branson – it will always stay with you. I’ve hit an All American Wall, suffering from a bad case of Red State Madness – like a hangover but without the drinking, as I shit red, white and blue with a constant dry taste of Jesus in my mouth, amidst bad entertainment, bad food, fat, old Americans and utter lack of culture. As they say, ‘What happens in Branson stays in Branson, especially with Our Lord Jesus Christ looking over it.’”          Harmon Leon        American author, journalist and comedian         In his quirky travel guide National Lampoon Road Trip USA (2007)        Commenting on the “family vacation destination” tourist town Branson, Missouri, where you can see shows like Noah: The Musical

THE FML VERSION: “Today, I learned that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas. This includes my one night stand who turned up outside my front door with a suitcase in her hand.”        Posted by “NeverDrinkingAgain” on the FMLife.com website

THE KIDDY VERSION: “What Happens in Preschool Stays in Preschool”        Slogan used on a line of clothing for preschool kids and their parents

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Comments? Corrections? Post them on the Famous Quotations Facebook page.

Related reading…

“The customer is always right” … or maybe not.

THE FAMED BUSINESS MOTTO: “The customer is always right.”         Harry Gordon Selfridge (1857-1947)        US-born British businessman and founder of the Selfridges store chain         This famous business motto is traditionally attributed to Selfridge and was popularized by him. However, as noted by the great Phrase Finder site and other sources, Selfridge may have shoplifted the saying from American department store magnate Marshall Field, who Selfridge worked for as a young man.

PETER’S RULE: “Peter’s Salesmanship Rule: The customer is always ripe.”        Laurence J. Peter (1919-1990)        Canadian educator and author best known as the creator of “The Peter Principle”         His wry version of the famed business motto, in his book Peter's Almanac (1982)

DOGBERT’S RULES: “There are two essential rules of management.   One: the customer is always right.   Two: they must be punished for their arrogance.”        Dogbert         A variation once posited by the hilariously evil canine cartoon character in Scott Adams’ Dilbert comic strips.

LE VERSION FRANCAISE: “France...a country where shop-owners seem to be guided by the credo that the customer is always, incontrovertibly wrong.”         Ruadhán Mac Cormaic        Irish journalist        In his column in The Irish Times, March 1, 2010

THE SALES CLERKS' COUNTERQUOTE: "Whoever said 'the customer is always right' clearly never worked with the public a day in their life."        A "Rottenecard" that most current and former employees of any type of retail outlet can relate to.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *    

Comments? Corrections? Post them on the Famous Quotations Facebook page.

Related reading and viewing…

“The gift that keeps on giving” – updated for the era of Obamacare and Glitterbug soap…

THE FAMOUS ADVERTISING SLOGAN: “The gift that keeps on giving.”        An old advertising slogan of uncertain origin        This familiar ad slogan has been used for various products by various companies since the early 1900s. One of the first high-profile uses appears to have been by the Victor Talking Machine Company (later absorbed into RCA Victrola), to promote phonographs and records. In fact, it was trademarked for that purpose in 1925. However, the phrase predates that trademark and, along with the variation “Gifts that keep on giving,” it has been used to promote banks, kitchen appliances, Kodak cameras, flowers and many other services and products during the past century.        In recent decades, the phrase has become a cliché that’s often used for humorous effect. For example, in the 1980s, the spread of genital herpes led to the jokey take-off: “Herpes: the gift that keeps on giving.”

A REPUBLICAN CONSULTANT’S VIEW OF OBAMACARE: “It’s the gift that just keeps on giving. For Republican political strategists, having Obamacare is like being in the Beer of the Month Club. Every month, you get a new care package in the mail.”        Brad Todd        Republican media consultant        Commenting on “Obamacare” and the one-year delay in the controversial health insurance program that was recently announced by the White House. (In an article posted on Politic.com on July 3, 2013.)

MICHAEL J. FOX’S VIEW ON PARKINSON’S DISEASE: “Because Parkinson’s demanded of me that I be a better man, a better husband, father, and citizen, I often refer to it as a gift. With a nod to those who find this hard to believe, especially my fellow patients who are facing great difficulties, I add this qualifier — it’s the gift that keeps on taking...but it is a gift.”        Michael J. Fox        American actor and patient advocate         Explaining some positive ways his life was affected by having Parkinson’s Disease, in his book A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future (2010)

ERMA BOMBECK’S VARIATION: “Guilt: the gift that keeps on giving.”        Erma Bombeck (1927-1996)        American humorist, newspaper columnist and author        Bombeck is widely credited with coining this line, though the source is rarely cited. It comes from one of her witty newspaper columns, published in May 1987 with the headline “Guilt: the gift that keeps on giving.” In the article, she wrote: “The passing of guilt from parent to child is a dying art. That’s right. The ‘gift that keeps on giving’ has tapered off because working mothers feel sorry for their children and don’t want to burden them with more pressure…We’re talking about an American tradition here that is as old as dirt. Guilt should never be considered a curse that is passed on, but rather a bonus for having children of your own where the power shifts and you have your day in the sun.”

MARY MATALIN’S VARIATION: “Humor is a profound elixir, practically a panacea. It’s the gift that keeps on giving...It’s portable and inexpensive and ingratiating. Humor breaks the ice and soothes the soul. It connects and bonds you to like-minded weirdos — a term of endearment in my book.”        Mary Matalin        Republican political consultant and media pundit        Discussing a topic she apparently agrees on with her Democratic guru husband James Carville, in her book Letters to My Daughters (2004)

THE GLITTER/HERPES ANALOGY: “Do I have any gripes about LUSH? Well... yes. One word: Glitter. It’s the herpes of the craft world; once it’s introduced into an environment, it never leaves. The gift that keeps on giving... you a rash.”         “Sara B.” (a witty former Yelp.com reviewer whose Yelp account is now closed)        In her now-deleted review of the LUSH bath and cosmetic products that contain small amounts of glitter, such as LUSH Glitterbug soap (shown at left) and LUSH Glitterbug Lotion.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Comments? Corrections? Post them on the Famous Quotations Facebook page.

Related reading:

“I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV.”

THE FAMOUS FAUX DOCTOR’S LINE: “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV.”        Used in TV ads for Vicks Formula 44 cough syrup by actors Chris Robinson and Peter Bergman        This now oft-parodied confession was popularized by Vicks Formula 44 commercials that began airing in 1984. The original ads featured Robinson, who was best known at the time for his role as Dr. Rick Webber on the television soap opera General Hospital. In 1986, after Robinson was convicted of tax evasion, he was replaced in the Vicks ads by actor Peter Bergman, who was playing Dr. Cliff Warner on the soap All My Children.        In a 1984 version of the Vicks commercial that’s currently posted on YouTube with some other vintage ads from 1984, Robinson says: “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV. And, when many adults get a cough, they play doctor at home. They treat their cough with the same medicine they originally bought for their children. They need one of the adult formulas from Vicks, for the coughs adults get, with the strength adults need. Formula 44 for coughs. 44D for coughs with congestion. And, now, Formula 44M for coughs with congestion and a raw irritated throat. The adult formulas. You can't buy anything more effective.”        Bergman’s initial ad for Vicks in 1986 was virtually identical.

A JAB AT A REAL DOCTOR WHO CROSSED THE LINE: “TV’s answer to Web MD, Dr. Mehmet Oz, ran a segment...claiming that his tests found high levels of arsenic in ‘some of the nation’s best known brands of apple juice.’ But because he’s a doctor AND he plays one on TV, the FDA says Dr. Oz’s tests were flawed and that he went overboard on the fearmongering.”         Christopher Robbins        American journalist and editor         In a Sept. 18, 2011 post on the Gothamist website about the recent flap over Dr. Oz’s claim that apple juice contained potentially unsafe levels of arsenic         Food and Drug Administration officials criticized Oz for using tests that do not distinguish between poisonous inorganic arsenic and naturally-occurring organic arsenic, which is found in soil and in many food products in minute levels and is not really a health threat. (If it were, we’d all be dead.)

A JAB AT AN ALLEGEDLY FAUX CHRISTIAN: “In her 2006 book Godless: The Church of Liberalism, pundit Ann Coulter attacked Democrats for being anti-religion and for faking religious faith. However, Coulter apparently is not a member or regular attendee of any church. Perhaps she should offer a disclaimer at every personal appearance: ‘I’m not a Christian, but I play one on TV, radio, and in books.’”        Brian Kaylor         Baptist journalist, blogger and book author        In his book For God’s Sake, Shut Up! Lessons for Christians on How to Speak Effectively (2007)

A JAB AT FAUX FEMINISTS BY A FEMINIST HERO: “I’m Not a Feminist But I Play One on TV”        Susan Faludi         Feminist writer and activist          Title of her oft-cited feminist article published in the March/April 1995 issue of Ms. magazine        In the article, Faludi criticized so-called “third-wave feminists” and female celebrities who appear or claim to be “liberated” but who are more closely aligned with conservative, traditional values and views of women than with the values and views espoused by feisty feminists like Faludi. She called such women “Pod Feminists,” a metaphor based on the “pod people” in the classic sci-fi horror film Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

A JAB AT A “FEMINIST HERO” (WHO’S FAUX IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE): “Heidi Montag may think she’s a feminist, but she definitely doesn’t play one on TV.”        Comment posted on the AolTV site by the editors of Lemondrop.com        The comment is linked to Lemondrop.com’s list of “The 20 Least Feminist TV Characters”        Heidi Montag is best known as the star of MTV’s “reality” series The Hills and for her love of plastic surgery. The Lemondrop.com editors obviously disagreed with a previous New York Times review that had called Heidi “a feminist hero.” (Heidi said she was “very honored” by being given that title.)

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Comments? Corrections? Post them on the Famous Quotations Facebook group.

Related reading…