The Big Apple: “A lot of people are in debt because they spend what their friends think they make”

A plaque remaining from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem.

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.

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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Entry from August 14, 2013

“A lot of people are in debt because they spend what their friends think they make”

"A lot of people are in debt because they spend what their friends think they make” is a jocular one-line saying that has been popular on Twitter. “Some people are in debt because they spend what their friends think they make” was first cited in the “Barbs” section of several newspapers on December 29, 1941.

29 December 1941, The Daily Ardmorette (Ardmore, OK), “Barbs!”, pg. 4, col. 7:
Some people are in debt because they spend what their friends think they make.

Google News Archive
13 January 1942, San Jose (CA) Evening News, “Barbs,” pg. 12, col. 2:
Some people are in debt because they spend what their friends think they make.

Google News Archive
13 February 1942, The Western Star (Coldwater, KS), pg. 2, col. 2:
Some folks are in debt, advises the Kansas City Kansan, because they spend what their friends think they make.

Google News Archive
21 July 1953, Newburgh (NY) News, “Chance Shots,” pg. 4, col. 4:
Lots of persons are deep in debt because they spend what their friends think they make.

Twitter
Funny One Liners‏
@funnyoneliners
Some people are in debt because they spend what their friends think they make.
7:55 PM - 11 Nov 09

Twitter
MyWeeklyAds.com‏
@My_Weekly_Ads
A lot of people are in debt because they spend what their friends think they make. - Joe Moore #quotes #humor
10:01 PM - 14 May 13

Posted by Barry Popik
New York City • Banking/Finance/Insurance • Wednesday, August 14, 2013 • Permalink