“Stir the eggnog, lift the toddy. Happy New Year, everybody” is a new year’s saying that has been printed on many images. It’s the opening of the poem “Happy New Year, Everybody!” by American author of children’s books and poetry Phyllis McGinley (1905-1978) that appeared in The American Weekly (a supplement in many Sunday newspapers) on January 1, 1956.
Wikipedia: Phyllis McGinley
Phyllis McGinley (March 21, 1905 – February 22, 1978) was an American author of children’s books and poetry. Her poetry was in the style of light verse, specializing in humor, satiric tone and the positive aspects of suburban life. She won a Pulitzer prize in 1961.
Newspapers.com
1 January 1956, St. Louis (MO) Globe-Democrat, The American Weekly, pg. 2, col. 1:
Happy New Year, Everybody!
By PHYLLIS McGINLEY
Stir the eggnog, life the toddy.
Happy New Year, everybody—
All the people near or far
On this small, engaging star
Which, exactly like the dollar,
Daily seems to dwindle smaller!
Now that ‘55 is done
Salutations, everyone.
Google Books
Everything Toasts Book
By Dale Irvin
Holbrook, MA: Adams Media Corp.
1999
Pg. 109:
Stir the eggnog, lift the toddy, Happy New Year, everybody. (Phyllis McGinley)
Twitter
LMS (she/her)
@WineDiverGirl
Stir the eggnog, lift the toddy, Happy New Year, everybody. -Phyllis McGinley
2:29 PM · Dec 31, 2008
Google Books
Toasts:
Over 1,500 of the Best Toasts, Sentiments, Blessings, and Graces
By Paul Dickson
New York, NY: Chartwell Books
2017
Pg. 155:
Stir the eggnog, lift the toddy,
Happy New Year, everybody.
—PHYLLIS McGINLEY
Twitter
It’s All You Boo
@itsallyouboo
“Stir the eggnog, lift the toddy, Happy New Year, everybody” — Phyllis McGinley. Click here for 44 happy new year quotes perfect for friends and family. #HappyNewYear #NewYear
itsallyouboo.com
44 New Year Quotes for Friends and Family (2023 Update)
Looking for the best happy new year wishes? Here are 44 happy new year quotes for friends and family. Say Happy New Year with inspirational wishes.
8:00 PM · Dec 25, 2022
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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