“A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works” was written by Bill Vaughan (1915-1977), a columnist who specialized in aphorisms, in September 1975. The saying has been cited in many quotation collections.
Vaughan lived in Missouri and probably wasn’t thinking about New York City’s parking enforcement.
Wikipedia: William E. Vaughan
William E. (“Bill”) Vaughan (October 8, 1915 – February 25, 1977) was an American columnist and author. Born in Saint Louis, Missouri, he wrote a syndicated column for the Kansas City Star from 1946 until his death in 1977. He was published in Reader’s Digest and Better Homes and Gardens under the pseudonym Burton Hillis. He attended Washington University in St. Louis.
His folksy aphorisms (published in his “Starbeams” feature) are often collected in books and on Internet sites. Bill Vaughan died at age 61 of lung cancer.
Quotations
“A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works.”
6 September 1975, Omaha (NE) World-Herald, “Senator Soaper,” pg. 4, col. 2:
A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works.
9 September 1975, Tucson (AZ) Daily Citizen, “Once over lightly” by Bill Vaughan, pg. 20, col. 5:
A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works.
Google News Archive
18 June 1979, Sarasota (FL) Herald-Tribune, “Today’s Chuckle,” right masthead:
A real patriot Is a fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works.
5 February 1988, Washington (DC) Post, “Farecards for Charity? Metro Says No” by Bob Levey, pg. E4:
“A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works.”—Bill Vaughan.
Google Books
101 Annoying Things about Other Drivers
By Ray Comfort
Green Forest, AR; New Leaf Press
2007
Pg. 95:
“A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works.” — Bill Vaughan
Google Books
101 Puzzles, Riddles and Rhymes for Attorneys
By Hyla Hope Harder
Xulon Press (xulonpress.com)
2010
Pg. 97:
Answer to Bill Vaughn Puzzle= “A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works.”
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
Recent entries:
•“Buying frozen pizza is such a lie. ‘Oh I’ll save this for when I don’t feel like cooking’. Surprise, surprise. Day one” (4/22)
•“Earth Day implies the existence of Moon Night” (4/22)
•“Earth Day implies the existence of Moon Day” (4/22)
•“Earth Day implies the existence of Water Day. Fire Day and Air Day” (4/22)
•“Earth Day implies the existence of Space Week” (4/22)
More new entries...
Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
This site is edited by Barry Popik. These are the Cookies and Privacy Policies.