A “four-letter word” usually means a profanity. “Diet” is a four-letter word (that is, something profane and not to be discussed) for certain people who like to keep their food choices.
“Diet is a four-letter word” has been cited in print since at least 1969.
23 May 1969. Scottsdale (A) Daily Progress, “Take it off with a Bloody Shame!” by Mary Bach, pg. 7, cols. 1-2:
And the ladies (Weight Watchers—ed.) even maintain that “diet” is really NOT a “four-letter word”.
5 June 1969, The Oregonian (Portland, OR), “The Book Shelf,” pg. 12, col. 3:
Most weight-watchers will agree with one terse chapter heading: Diet Is a Four Letter Word.
(100 Delicious Ways to Stay Slim by Shirley Bright Boody—ed.)
2 March 1970, Omaha (NE) World-Herald, “Animalogic” comic strip, pg. 3, col. 3:
“Remember, son—‘diet’ is a four letter word.”
Google News Archive
29 March 1983, Kingman (AZ) Daily Miner, pg. B1, col. 5:
Diet is a four-letter word
By the Economical Gourmet
Once I wrote a line in the columns that said “Diet is a four letter word.” I am still of that opinion. So much so, that with Susan Farger, a nutritionist with a masters degree, and with John O’Donnell as our editor, we are writing a book called “The Diet Is A Four Letter Word Cookbook.”
OCLC WorldCat record
Diet is a four letter word : Mary Wright’s success with the Duke diet and fitness programme
Author: Mary Wright; Pamela Westland
Publisher: Colchester : Bruton, 1987.
Edition/Format: Book : English
Google Books
8 June 1987, New York magazine, ‘Underground Gourmet” by Jane Freiman, pg. 80, col. 2:
“DIET” IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD THAT means no more pizza and no more candy. Bye-bye, bagels and cream cheese. Adios, frozen margaritas.
OCLC WorldCat record
Diet is a 4 letter word
Author: Suzie Heyman
Publisher: North Miami Beach, FL : Starlight Pub. Co., ©1990.
Edition/Format: Book : English
OCLC WorldCat record
The answer : ‘Diet’ is a four letter word! : your ultimate guide to achieving safe, realistic, permanent weight loss and maintaining good health
Author: Della David
Publisher: Dudley : Limited Lime Publishing, 2008.
Edition/Format: Book : English
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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