To “know what’s cooking” means to know what’s happening. “Lord, help me to know what’s cooking before it boils over” means that one should spot trouble before it happens. “We should be able to see what’s cooking before it boils over” was cited in print in 1971.
“Lord, help me to know what’s cooking before it boils over” has been cited in print since at least 1976. The saying was printed on refrigerator magnets by at least 2005.
22 September 1971, Altoona (PA) Mirror, pg. 8, col. 2:
‘Welfare’ Vs. Warfare
An American welfare state would be no match for the Soviet warfare state; so as we see our national resources being channeled increasingly into welfare and the Soviet’s increasingly into warfare, we should be able to see what’s cooking before it boils over.
Newspapers.com
21 September 1976, Garden City (KS) Telegram, “The Distaff Side,” pg. 4, col. 1:
LORD, HELP ME TO KNOW WHAT’S COOKING BEFORE IT BOILS OVER.
Google Books
The Free University:
A Model for Lifelong Learning
By William A. Draves
Chicago, IL: Association Press
1980
Pg. 29:
Over her shoulder on the wall is a short prayer, “Lord, Help Me To Know What’s Cooking Before It Boils Over.”
Nothing, however, seems to be boiling over right now, as Dunning is in a position to know what’s cooking in adult learning.
Splitcoaststampers Forums
Four Aliments
04-15-2005, 06:21 AM
I’ve screwed up so many things in the kitchen, it’s a wonder I’m allowed in there at all! I have refrigerator magnets warning people…“Dinner will be served when the smoke detector goes off!”, “Lord help me know what’s cooking before it boils over”, and “I kiss better than I cook.” LOL
Twitter
J. Darryn Zewalk
@darrynzewalk
Lord, help me to know what’s cooking before it boils over. — Unknown
11:00 PM - 8 Jan 2012
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:
•“Buying frozen pizza is such a lie. ‘Oh I’ll save this for when I don’t feel like cooking’. Surprise, surprise. Day one” (4/22)
•“Earth Day implies the existence of Moon Night” (4/22)
•“Earth Day implies the existence of Moon Day” (4/22)
•“Earth Day implies the existence of Water Day. Fire Day and Air Day” (4/22)
•“Earth Day implies the existence of Space Week” (4/22)
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.