“The early bird catches the worm” is a proverb dating from at least the 17th century; it means that whoever does something first has the best chance of success. “The early bird makes the coffee” is a jocular line that has been illustrated.
“The early bird makes the coffee” was cited on Twitter on October 31, 2008.
Twitter
Brandon Murphy
@BRMURPHY
the early bird makes the coffee
4:58 AM - 31 Oct 2008
Twitter
Elijah Manor
@elijahmanor
guesses the early bird makes the coffee and gets the first cup too! http://twitpic.com/ny19
7:27 AM - 25 Nov 2008
Twitter
Rowell Dionicio
@rowelldionicio
In the office they say “the early bird makes the coffee” http://twitpic.com/c0ith
8:16 AM - 29 Jul 2009
Early Bird Makes the Coffee
Mar 18, 2010 10:45:31 AM | Musings
They Say It’s Spring
It is the first day I choose to not wear a coat. I probably shouldn’t, and it is only for a short walk from the car down the street into the coffee shop.
DateHookup.com
browneyz
9/6/2010 7:39:03 AM
It is only five thirty here. Early bird makes the coffee.
Hostels.com
I liked the fact that the early bird makes the coffee first 
I woke up to freshly brewed coffee
24 Aug 2014 Anonymous England
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:
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“What did the full glass of water say to the empty glass?"/"You look drunk.” (5/27)
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Big Apple Turnover (Ray Williams nickname on New York Knicks, 1979) (5/27)
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“Life is too short to drink the house wine” (5/27)
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“The only thin blue line I respect is the one at the bottom of the pride flag” (5/27)
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“Why is it called a house salad when it’s not on the house?” (5/27)
More new entries...
Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps.
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.