A Scandalous Quip That Defined an Era
“One Source more drink and I’d have been under the host.”
This provocative statement captures the essence of Jazz Age wit. The line transforms an ordinary drinking expression into something far more suggestive. Furthermore, it exemplifies the sharp humor that defined literary circles in 1920s New York. However, the true origins of this famous quip remain surprisingly murky.
Dorothy Parker‘s name has become synonymous with biting commentary and clever wordplay. Her reputation for devastating one-liners made her a legend among American writers. Nevertheless, attributing every witty remark to her creates problems for historians. Indeed, many quotes credited to Parker may have originated elsewhere.
The Art of the Double Entendre
The phrase plays on familiar drinking terminology. Most people understand what it means to drink someone “under the table.” This expression describes consuming enough alcohol to outlast your companions. The host variation, however, introduces an entirely different meaning.
Parker’s alleged quip replaces innocent competition with scandalous implication. Source The wordplay operates on multiple levels simultaneously. Additionally, it demonstrates the type of risqué humor that shocked and delighted audiences.
Early References to Similar Humor
Newspaper archives reveal interesting precursors to this famous line. A 1937 column described patrons debating their drinking prowess. One person claimed two drinks would put them under furniture. Another boasted the furniture would end up beneath them instead.
These early examples show that drinking jokes existed before Parker’s version. Moreover, they demonstrate how wordplay about alcohol and spatial relationships entertained audiences. The progression from these simple jokes to Parker’s sophisticated version is noteworthy.
Bennett Cerf’s Crucial Attribution
The connection between Parker and this quip solidified in 1944. Publisher Bennett Cerf included the story in his collection “Try and Stop Me.” He claimed someone asked Parker about a cocktail party she attended. According to Cerf, she responded with evident satisfaction about the evening.
Cerf’s book represented a turning point in attribution history. His account specifically named Parker as the source. Furthermore, the book included other Parker anecdotes that reinforced her reputation. This publication became the primary source for connecting her to the phrase.
The Verse Version Emerges
A four-line poem appeared in Playboy magazine during December 1954. The verse expanded on Parker’s alleged quip with elaborate detail. It described the progressive effects of consuming multiple martinis. Each additional drink led to increasingly compromising situations.
The poem warned readers about martini consumption. Two drinks seemed safe and manageable. Three drinks would place you beneath the table. Four drinks would position you under the host. This progression created both humor and shock value.
Notably, Playboy published the verse without any attribution. The magazine presented it as anonymous party humor. No mention of Dorothy Parker appeared in that initial publication. This absence raises significant questions about authorship.
Multiple Anonymous Appearances
The verse surfaced again in 1956 within a Canadian student publication. The Engineers’ Gatepost printed a version titled “Nurse’s Lament.” This iteration expressed a wish to drink with ladylike restraint. However, it followed the same four-stage progression.
Again, no author received credit for the verse. The anonymous nature of these publications suggests folk humor rather than literary creation. Additionally, the variations in wording indicate multiple people adapted the basic concept.
When Parker Finally Got Credit
Richard Martin Stern’s 1961 novel explicitly connected Parker to the verse. The narrator mentioned “that verse bit attributed to Dorothy Parker” before reciting it. This represents the first documented attribution of the multi-line version to her. Nevertheless, this came seventeen years after Cerf’s original attribution.
The delay between publications is significant. Seven years passed between the verse’s first appearance and Parker’s connection to it. This timeline suggests the verse evolved independently from Parker’s original quip.
Biographers Weigh In
Various biographies have addressed this famous line over the decades. Robert E. Drennan’s 1968 collection focused on the single-line version from Cerf. He made no mention of the verse format whatsoever. This selective inclusion is telling.
John Keats discussed the line in his 1970 Parker biography. He characterized it as something “less complicated folk relish.” This description distinguished the quip from Parker’s more sophisticated literary observations. Keats seemed to recognize a difference in quality.
Scott Meredith’s 1974 biography revealed an intriguing detail about George S. Kaufman. Kaufman reportedly complained that his remarks would eventually be credited to Parker. This observation highlights how Parker’s reputation attracted attribution of witty sayings.
The Folk Humor Connection
The verse appeared in various contexts throughout the following decades. Evan Esar’s 1978 encyclopedia included a version with modified wording. British graffiti collections documented another variant in 1981. These diverse appearances suggest widespread popular adoption.
Folk humor typically evolves through oral tradition and adaptation. The verse’s multiple versions support this interpretation. Furthermore, the anonymous nature of early publications reinforces the folk humor theory. People shared and modified the verse without concern for authorship.
Analyzing the Evidence
Several factors distinguish the single-line quip from the verse version. Cerf’s 1944 attribution provides solid documentation for Parker’s original remark. The timing and source lend credibility to this connection. Moreover, the quip’s sophistication matches Parker’s known style.
The verse, however, lacks similar documentation. Its anonymous debut in Playboy undermines Parker’s authorship claim. Additionally, the seven-year gap before attribution suggests later association rather than original creation. The verse reads more like an elaboration than Parker’s work.
The Nature of Literary Attribution
Famous writers often attract misattribution of clever sayings. People want to connect witty remarks with known personalities. Consequently, quotes migrate toward celebrities with established reputations. Parker’s fame made her an ideal candidate for attribution.
This phenomenon affects many historical figures. Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde, and Winston Churchill all have spurious quotes attributed to them. The internet age has accelerated this misattribution process. Nevertheless, careful research can often reveal true origins.
Why Attribution Matters
Understanding who created specific works serves multiple purposes. It preserves historical accuracy and honors actual creators. Furthermore, it helps us understand cultural evolution and influence. Misattribution can obscure how ideas develop and spread.
In Parker’s case, distinguishing her actual work from folk adaptations matters. Her genuine wit deserves recognition without dilution from questionable additions. Moreover, acknowledging anonymous contributors respects their creative role.
The Verdict on Authorship
The evidence supports a nuanced conclusion about these famous lines. Bennett Cerf’s documentation strongly suggests Parker created the original single-line quip. The 1944 publication date and Cerf’s proximity to Parker’s circle provide credibility. This attribution seems reliable and well-founded.
However, the verse version tells a different story entirely. Anonymous publication in 1954 preceded any Parker attribution by seven years. Multiple variations appeared without authorship claims. These factors indicate the verse evolved as folk humor inspired by Parker’s original remark.
Someone likely heard Parker’s quip and expanded it into verse form. This unknown poet built upon her established reputation and documented wit. The verse represents creative elaboration rather than Parker’s original work. Nevertheless, it demonstrates her lasting influence on American humor.
The Legacy of a Single Line
Whether Parker created just the quip or both versions, her impact remains undeniable. The phrase captures Jazz Age sophistication and irreverence perfectly. It challenged social conventions while entertaining audiences. Moreover, it exemplifies the type of wit that made Parker legendary.
The ongoing confusion about authorship actually reinforces Parker’s cultural significance. People wanted to attribute clever sayings to her because she represented sharp intelligence. Her reputation made her the natural home for risqué wordplay. This phenomenon itself testifies to her enduring influence on American letters.
Ultimately, the “under the host” quip belongs to Dorothy Parker based on available evidence. The verse remains anonymous, likely created by an admirer who built upon her foundation. Both versions continue entertaining audiences decades later, proving that great wit transcends questions of precise authorship.