Many students do not like to study algebra and do not use the learning after their school years. “Our favorite chuckle from McCall’s mag: when you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of algebra” was printed in the Decatur (AL) Daily on April 15, 1962.
“When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of algebra.—Gene Yasenak.“ was printed in the Sioux Center (IA) News on October 20, 1966. It’s not known if Gene Yasenak had written the joke in McCall’s magazine four years earlier.
American humorist Will Rogers (1879-1935) has been credited with the line in the 2000s, but he never said it.
15 April 1962, Decatur (AL) Daily, “The Chatter Box” by Fannie Richardson, pg. B-4, col. 6:
Our favorite chuckle from McCall’s mag: when you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of algebra.
12 June 1966, Quad-City Times (Davenport, IA), Focus on Family sec., pg. 2, col. 3:
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of algebra.
20 October 1966, Sioux Center (IA) News, “Opinions of Others,” pg. 4, col. 2:
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of algebra.—Gene Yasenak.
5 July 1990, The Current Local (Van Buren, MO), pg. 3, col. 2:
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.
GENE YASENAK
Google Books
Forbes
Volume 145, Issues 7-13
1990
Pg. 460:
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of algebra.
GENE YASENAK
Google Groups: alt.humor
Will Rogers
John Maida
5/22/03
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Fourth, When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.
Twitter
Lori Kober
@LORI_SF
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra ~Will Rogers
3:43 PM - 7 Mar 2010
Twitter
Because Im A Girl
@BecausImAGrl
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.
9:01 PM - 1 Apr 2014
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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“Women belong in the kitchen. Men belong in the kitchen. The kitchen has food” (3/22)
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“Women belong in the kitchen. Men belong in the kitchen. The kitchen has coffee” (3/22)
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Entry in progress—BP (3/22)
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“Women belong in the kitchen. Men belong in the kitchen. The kitchen has bacon” (3/22)
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“New Rule: You’re not allowed to work longer than the number of hours you slept the night before” (3/22)
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.