Russell Baker, an “Observer” columnist for the New York (NY) Times, wrote on June 25, 1977:
“New York is the only city in the world where you can get deliberately run down on the sidewalk by a pedestrian.”
The one-liner has been included in several books and articles about New York City sayings.
Wikipedia: Russell Baker
Russell Wayne Baker (born August 14, 1925) is an American writer known for his satirical commentary and self-critical prose, as well as for his Pulitzer Prize-winning autobiography Growing Up (1982).
25 June 1977, New York (NY) Times, “Inhuman Rights” by Russell Baker, pg. 19, col. 1:
New York is the only city in the world where you can get deliberately run down on the sidewalk by a pedestrian. Off your guard for an instant, and they smash head-on into you, or more commonly, they clip you blindside on one shoulder and send you skidding out of control into an oncoming mass of pedestrians who batter your hipbones and dent your sternum. It’s a sidewalk demolition derby.
Google Books
Write Right:
A Canadian Desk Drawer Digest of Punctuation, Grammar and Style
By Jan Venolia
North Vancouver, BC: National Book Network
1995
Pg. 117:
New York is the only city in the world where you can be deliberately run down on the sidewalk by a pedestrian. — Russell Baker
Google Books
New York:
The Unknown City
By Brad Dunn and Daniel Hood
Vancouver, BC: Arsenal Pulp Press
2004
Pg. 61:
According to writer Russell Baker, “New York is the only city in the world where you can get run down on the sidewalk by a pedestrian.” Hey, if Baker got run down, it was his fault - he was probably gawking at something.
Google Books
The Little Red Book of New York Wisdom
By Former Mayor Ed Koch, with Gregg Stebben and Jason Katzman
New York, NY: Skyhorse Publishing
2011
Pg. 80:
New York is the only city in the world where you can get deliberately run down on the sidewalk by a pedestrian.
RUSSELL BAKER, REPORTED IN RAND LINDSLY’S QUOTATIONS
Time Out New York
17 quotes every New Yorker should live by
By Will Pulos
Posted: Thursday July 16 2015, 2:52pm
(...)
14. “New York is the only city in the world where you can get run down on the sidewalk by a pedestrian.” —Russell Baker
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. 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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