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Actually it seems that quote may have originated from Johnathan Swift not Mark Twain, although almost everyone attributes it to Mark Twain. Which is rather nice
by martinpw 4y ago
Actually it seems that quote may have originated from Johnathan Swift not Mark Twain, although almost everyone attributes it to Mark Twain. Which is rather nicely recursive given the subject of the quote.
https://professorbuzzkill.com/twain-lie-travels/ https://professorbuzzkill.com/twain-lie-travels/
- denton-scratch 4y agoThe quote doesn't look like Swift's style of English; so I read that buzzkill article. What buzzkill attributes to Swift isn't the quote (or its origins), but the sentiment. Swift has nothing to say about how long it takes to put on shoes. That style of English looks to me like Twain.
- martinpw 4y agoWell the article also says there is no evidence Mark Twain ever said it.
- blooalien 4y agoThere are actually quite a few quotes attributed to Twain (and Einstein, and Lincoln, and many famous "others") that may or may not have been said first (or at all) by the people they're attributed to. Interesting "rabbit hole" to explore for those into that sort of thing…