“The difference between men and boys is the cost/price of their toys” is a saying that is frequently used on Father’s Day and on birthdays. The saying dates to at least July 13, 1960, where it appeared in a syndicated Earl Wilson entertainment column. No credit for the saying was given.
The Quote Garden: Quotations about Men
The only difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys. ~Author Unknown
13 July 1960, Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI), “It Happened Last Night” by Earl Wilson, sec. 1, pg. 12, col. 2:
WISH I’D SAID THAT: The biggest difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys.
18 July 1961, Daily Chronicle (Centralia, WA), “THe Monday Tattler,” pg. 7, col. 1:
PEEPLE’S COLYUM
Dear Tattler: You’ve lived a long time, and what do you think is the main difference between men and boys.—Teen-Ager.
Dear TA: The cost of their toys.
23 March 1962, Emporia (KS) Gazette, pg. 1, col. 2:
Good Evening:
An Emporia merchant believes the biggest difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys.
Google News Archive
15 September 1962, Milwaukee (WI Sentinel, “He’s Not Letter Perfect” by Buck Herzog, pt. 1, pg. 9, col. 1:
THINK OF IT THIS WAY: The biggest difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys Inflation
9 September 1963, The Progress (Clearfield, PA), pg. 1 (masthead):
Today’s Chuckle
The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.
10 September 1963, Milwaukee (WI) Sentinel, pg. 1 (masthead):
TODAY’S CHUCKLE
A sage who knows his differential calculus states: The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.
Google News Archive
12 October 1963, St. Petersburg (FL) Evening Independent, “Our Town” by Paul Davis, pg. 1, col. 1:
Today’s Chuckle
The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.
Google Books
A Poor Man’s Guide to Making CASH on EBay
By Anthony Stowe and Mark Crush
Pinehurst, TX: Applied Wisdom
2006
Pg. 9:
The Difference between Men and Boys is the Price of Their Toys
We have all probably seen that bumper sticker somewhere before.
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.
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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.
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