“Just add water” is a popular direction on simple recipes or product instructions. “I bought powdered water, but I don’t know what to add to it” is a joke that has been told by several comedians.
“Red Skelton swears he just invented something called powdered water: all you do is add water” was cited in print in 1964; Red Skelton (1913-1997) was a popular American comedic entertainer. “I bought some powdered water, but I don’t know what to add to it” was credited to American comedian Steven Wright in 1985.
28 August 1964, Marietta (GA) Daily Journal, Mike Connolly column from Hollywood, pg. 2B, col. 4:
RED SKELTON swears he just invented something called powdered water: all you do is add water.
Google Books
The Collected Stories of William Humphrey
By William Humphrey
New York, NY: Delacorte Press/Seymour Lawrence
1985
Pg. 308:
“Water. Powdered water. Dehydrated. When you’re ready to use it you take and mix it with a little water. They say it makes a pretty fair substitute. Tastes a little flat, they say, but does all right for mixing.”
4 February 1985, Trenton (NJ) Times, Frank Tyger column, pg. A2, col. 2:
“I bought some powdered water,” says Steve Wright, “but I don’t know what to add to it.”
Google Books
No Hang-ups III
By John Carfi, Cliff Carle and Greg Tenorio
Chatsworth, CA: CCC Publications
1988
Pg. 63:
I just bought some powdered water and I’m not sure what to add.
Google Books
What a College Senior Should Know When the Barrel Is Empty and the Party Is Over
By Charley Swayne
La Crosse, WI: Charley Swayne
1994
Pg. 72:
If you have powdered water, what do you add to it?
Twitter
Schwartz Koph
@schwartz_koph
I bought powdered water but I don’t know what to add to it.
7:55 AM - 22 Sep 13
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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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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