“Some people battle their way to the top, while others bottle their way to the bottom” is a drinking saying that has been frequently reprinted. “Some men battle their way to the top, then bottle their way to the bottom” was credited to Paul Balwantz of the Wetzel Republican (New Martinsville, WV) in September 1952.
Google News Archive
26 September 1952, St Marys (WV) Oracle, “Pleasantries,” pg. 2, col. 1:
Some men battle their way to the top, then bottle their way to the bottom, says Paul Balwantz in his “Out the Crick” column in the Wetzel Republican.
3 November 1955, Elgin (IA) Echo, “The Broadcaster,” pg. 8, col. 7 ad:
Some battle their way to the top—others bottle their way to the bottom.
Google Books
Speaker’s Desk Book of Quips, Quotes, and Anecdotes
By Jacob Morton Braude
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall
1963
Pg. 133:
Some battle their way to the top — others bottle their way to the bottom.
Google Books
14,000 Quips & Quotes:
For Speakers, Writers, Editors, Preachers, and Teachers
By E. C. McKenzie
Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House
1990, ©1980
Pg. 307:
Some battle their way to the top; others bottle their way to the bottom.
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Some people battle their way to the top, while others bottle their way to the bottom. - Joe Moore #quotes #humor
8:45 PM - 1 Aug 11
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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