A LARK IN THE PARK-ER
Today, I’m in the mood to quote that great wit, Dorothy Parker. Actually, I was in the mood to do so yesterday (her birthday), but my computer wasn’t. No big deal — better great than never, I always never say.
I’ve quoted Dorothy Parker (Aug. 22, 1893 – June 7, 1967) on several occasions, including in a Speak Without Interruption post of 6/7/12 titled DAYS OF THE ROUND TABLE, which, like yours truly, has somehow managed to survive to this day. I also recall writing a related SWI article on the ALGONQUIN HOTEL/ROUND TABLE (the group which included Dorothy Parker), but I don’t know if it’s survived. I haven’t the heart to search and find it missing.
Anyway, for those interested, a Google search will reveal much more on the Algonquin, so without further ado, I give you Dorothy Parker:
Asked to describe her Bucks County farm in two words: “Want it?”
“That woman speaks eighteen languages and can’t say ‘No’ in any of them.”
“It serves me right for putting all my eggs in one bastard.”
“You can’t teach an old dogma new tricks.”
“If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to.”
“How can they tell?” – on hearing that Calvin (“Silent Cal”) Coolidge had died.
Epitaphs she suggested at various times for her tombstone:
EXCUSE MY DUST
THIS IS ON ME
WHEREVER SHE WENT, INCLUDING HERE, IT WAS AGAINST HER BETTER JUDGMENT
One of the three made it. Care to guess which?
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Don Frankel, and 3 others are discussing. 
The Observation Post 
lawrencethorogood 5:02 pm on August 23, 2014 Permalink |
I love your work. It would mean the world if you checked out my cartoons and to give your opinion? Thank you so much
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mistermuse 7:33 pm on August 23, 2014 Permalink |
Lawrence, thanks for the kind words. I’ll be glad to check out your site and comment there tomorrow, though there appears to be at least 50 years difference in our ages, so I may not be an appropriate “critic” for your cartoons.
“See you” then.
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arekhill1 5:12 pm on August 23, 2014 Permalink |
I don’t attempt to guess anything which can easily be Googled anymore, Sr. Muse, lest my vast store of native knowledge be questioned. My personal favorite quote from the late, great DP is “You can lead a whore to culture, but you can’t make her think.”
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mistermuse 7:38 pm on August 23, 2014 Permalink |
I also love that DP quote, Ricardo. As for the epitaph guess, I’ll save all my millions, if not billions, of readers the trouble of looking it up – the answer is EXCUSE MY DUST.
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allthoughtswork 8:17 pm on August 23, 2014 Permalink |
Google just told me I guessed right. I’m so awesome.
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mistermuse 6:16 am on August 24, 2014 Permalink |
Awesome!
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Don Frankel 5:04 am on August 24, 2014 Permalink |
I knew I could google it but that would have ruined all the fun. I guessed door number 3 and I was wrong. Are there any parting gifts?
“Beauty is only skin deep but ugly cuts to the bone.”
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mistermuse 6:21 am on August 24, 2014 Permalink |
Don, I gave you that Harry Carey Jr. book in anticipation of your guessing wrong here. I’m so clairvoyant!
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Joseph Nebus 11:46 pm on January 29, 2015 Permalink |
I keep feeling like I ought to read Dorothy Parker but somehow I’ve not found my way into any of her works.
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mistermuse 7:48 am on January 30, 2015 Permalink |
For me, she was the undisputed queen of the quick-witted put-down. Example:
As one who did not appreciate playing the celebrity, she once replied (when asked “Are you Dorothy Parker?”), “Yes, do you mind?”
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