“I’m not an alcoholic, alcoholics go to meetings; I’m a drunk, we go to parties” is a popular saying on posters. The joke refers indirectly to Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization that holds meetings.
“I’m not an alcoholic. Alcoholics go to meetings. I’m a drunk” has been cited in print since at least 1994. The joke is sometimes credited to American comedian Jackie Gleason (1916-1987); Gleason often joked about alcohol, but there’s no evidence that he ever said “alcoholics go to meetings.”
15 March 1994, Chicago (IL) Tribune, “St. Pat’s already a parade of drunks” by Mike Royko, pg. 3:
As Patrick freely admits, at times he is something of a drunk. Actually, that isn’t accurate. As the old wisecrack goes: “I’m not an alcoholic. Alcoholics go to meetings. I’m a drunk.”
Google Books
Slackjaw
By Jim Knipfel
New York, NY: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam
1999
Pg. 131:
“Would you call yourself an alcoholic?”
Whenever I hear that question, I pull out the old Jackie Gleason line: “No, ma’am, I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings.”
Democratic Underground
trackfan
Wed Nov-15-06 11:25 AM
16. That’s very close to a quote from Jackie Gleason,
who said something like, “I’m not an alcoholic, I’m a drunkard. The difference is alcoholics go to meetings.”
Windy City Times (Chicago, IL)
Pretzel Logic
by David J. Magdziarz
2005-03-09
(...)
The Non-AA T-Shirt
Slogan printed on a T-shirt for sale in French Quarter gift shops: ‘I’m not an alcoholic. Alcoholics go to meetings. I’m a drunk.’
Google Books
The Ultimate Book of New York Lists:
Everything You Need to Know About the Greatest City on Earth
By Bert Randolph Sugar and C. N. Richardson
New York, NY: Skyhorse Publishing
2009
Pg. 137:
MOST POPULAR T-SHIRTS SOLD AT SOUVENIR SHOPS ALONG TIMES SQUARE
I’m Not an Alcoholic/I’m a Drunk/ Alcoholics Go to Meetings
CBS News
November 17, 2011 2:01 PM
Police: Man wearing “I’m a drunk” shirt charged with DWI
By Katie Wiggin
(CBS) MOUNT SINAI, N.Y.—A man wearing a shirt reading, “I’m a drunk,” was arrested and charged with a DWI early Wednesday morning.
(...)
His shirt read in full, “I’m not an alcoholic. I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings.”
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.
This site is edited by Barry Popik. These are the Cookies and Privacy Policies.