“Optometrists live longer because they dilate” is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. “Dilate” is a pun on “die late.”
The joke has been cited in print since at least 2011. Authorship is unknown.
Twitter
mantic59
@mantic59
Do optometrists live longer because they dilate? #pun
9:04 AM · Oct 26, 2011·Twitter Web Client
Twitter
⫩..Emma.B..⫩
@EmLou24
@tracey18 but on the upside, opticians live longer because they dilate 😉
3:35 PM · Nov 14, 2011·Twitter for iPhone
Twitter
𝙺𝚎𝚣
@Goleudy
Optometrists live longer because they dilate.
3:51 PM · Dec 13, 2011·Twitter Web Client
Twitter
Eric Gwin
@ericgwin
Optometrists live longer because they dilate.
2:31 PM · Mar 21, 2012·Hootsuite
Twitter
Landon Seth Reeves
@landonreeves08
Eye doctors live longer because they dilate.
12:49 PM · May 8, 2012·Twitter for iPhone
Reddit—Dadjokes
Posted by u/cuber1717 July 3, 2016
Did you know optometrists live longer?
They dilate
Facebook
Indian Hills Community Sign
May 3, 2018 ·
OPTOMETRISTS LIVE LONGER BECAUSE THEY DILATE
Twitter
Bill Hopkins
@JudgeHopkins
Ophthalmologists live longer. They dilate.
7:03 AM · Aug 30, 2018·Facebook
Twitter
ChristianSailing
@ChristnSailing
CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION
Optometrists live longer because they dilate
9:29 PM · Oct 3, 2018·Facebook
Twitter
KPMoore
@KPMoore8
Optometrists live longer because they dilate!
11:58 AM · Aug 27, 2020·Twitter for Android
Twitter
Robert Wilkinson
@robertwlk
Opticians live longer because they dilate
2:15 AM · Oct 23, 2020·Twitter for Android
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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