“As useful as an astray on a motorcycle” is another way of saying that something is not very useful. American stand-up comedian and actress Phyllis Diller (1917-2012) said in 1971:
“For me to go to the beauty parlor makes about as much sense as an ashtray on a motorcycle.”
In 1977, the line was also credited to professional comedy writer Robert Orben.
Wikipedia: Phyllis Diller
Phyllis Ada Driver (July 17, 1917 – August 20, 2012), better known as Phyllis Diller, was an American stand-up comedian, actress, singer, dancer, and voice artist, best known for her eccentric stage persona, her self-deprecating humor, her wild hair and clothes, and her exaggerated, cackling laugh.
15 August 1971, Corpus Christi (TX) Caller-Times, “Phyllis Diller—Tops of the put-downs” by Sam Lesner, TV sec., pg. 18, col. 1:
However, Phyllis’ old supper club comedy routine has come alive again with a fresh crop of zingy self-put-downs (“for me to go to the beauty parlor makes about as much sense as an ashtray on a motorcycle”).
15 December 1971, The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH), “Open letter to Cosell” by Bob Dolgen, pg. 1-G, col. 7:
In fact, there’s a school of thought that holds that TV play-by-play men are as useful as an ashtray on a motorcycle.
24 June 1974, Chicago (IL) Tribune, “Phyllis Diller clowns it up at Lake Geneva” by Will Leonard, Te,po. sec. 2, pg. 13, col. 1:
But she (comedian Phyllis Diller—ed) still talks about ugly women, foam rubber padding, deodorants that have died, and trips to the beauty parlor that make “as much sense as an ashtray on a motorcycle.”
17 June 1977, Richmond (VA) Times-Dispatch, “Show Time” by Earl Wilson, pg. B-6, col. 2:
WISH I’D SAID THAT: Bob Orben’s simile: “As useless as an ashtray on a motorcycle.”
25 February 1980, The Age (Melbourne, Australia), “Letters to the editor,” pg. 10, col. 6:
Everyone knows the connection between cigarette smoking and lung diseases, and the repetition of this knowledge, especially to schoolchildren, is about as useful as. an ashtray on a motorcycle.
(...)
CHARLES MURTON,
Richmond.
OCLC WorldCat record
Crazy like me
Author: Ray Scott
Publisher: Nashville, TN : Jethropolitan Records, [2008]
Edition/Format: Music CD : CD audio : English
Contents:
Ashtray on a motorcycle—
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1:25 AM - 23 Jun 2016
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:
•“I read old books because I would rather learn from those who built civilization than those who tore it down” (4/18)
•“I study old buildings because I would rather learn from those who built civilization than those who tore it down” (4/18)
•“Due to personal reasons, I’m still going to be fluffy this summer” (4/18)
•“Do not honk at me. My life is worthless. I will kill us both” (bumper sticker) (4/18)
•Entry in progress—BP16 (4/18)
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.
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