"A diet is something that helps a person gain weight more slowly.—Bill Copeland” is a jocular line about dieting that was printed in February 1976 newspapers. “A diet is what helps a person gain weight more slowly” is another version of the Copeland quote that was published in 1976.
Bill Copeland is a common name and biographical details are not known.
18 February 1976, Indianapolis (N) Star, Earl Wilson syndicated entertainment column, pg. 29, col. 2:
WISH I’D SAID THAT: A diet is something that helps a person gain weight more slowly.—Bill Copeland.
Google Books
The Reader’s Digest
Volume 109
1976
Pg. 167:
A DIET is what helps a person gain weight more slowly. — Bill Copeland in Sarasota, Fla., Journal
Google Books
Modern English in action [Level 8]
By Henry I Christ and Jerome Carlin
Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath and Company.
1978
Pg. 484:
A diet is what helps a person gain weight more slowly said Bill Copeland.
Google Books
Another Treasury of Clean Jokes
By Tal D. Bonham
Nashville, TN: Broadman Press
1983
Pg. 112:
Diet: What helps a person gain weight more slowly.
Google Books
The World’s Greatest Wacky One-Line Jokes
By Bob Phillips
Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers
2005
Pg. 32:
A diet is what helps a person gain weight more slowly.
Twitter
NYC Health&Nutrition
@Nutrition_NYC
Diet: The thing that helps a person gain weight more slowly.
We do not promote diets, we promote a better lifestyle!
6:42 PM - 2 May 2013
Twitter
P.L. Klein, Author
@PLKlein_Author
“A diet is what helps a person gain weight more slowly.” ~ Bill Copeland #QuickQuotes #PLKleinAuthor http://PLKlein.com
12:51 PM - 26 Oct 2015
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:
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“You can’t leave those who created the problem in charge of the solution” (6/1)
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“You simply cannot leave those who created the problem in chare of the solution!” (6/1)
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“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier…” (6/1)
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“You can’t just leave those who created the problem in charge of the solution” (6/1)
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Entry in progress—BP (6/1)
More new entries...
Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps.
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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