A jocular fortune cookie message, “You are not illiterate,” has been printed on many images. Many people consider it the worst fortune cookie ever, because who wants to read that one can read?
The “You are not illiterate” fortune cookie message was printed in the Buffalo (NY) News on December 22, 2006.
22 December 2006, Buffalo (NY) News, “Cheap Eats,” pg. G3:
...were the usual wise sayings, mine said, “You are not illiterate.”
Twitter
Will Lurie
@willlurie
my favorite fortune cookie? “you are not illiterate”
2:31 PM · Dec 9, 2008·Twitter Web Client
Twitter
FortuneKookie Crew
@FortuneKookie
@Lawyer_Tom
Aside from a blank piece of fortune paper, this one “You are not illiterate.” RT: What is the worst fortune you ever got?
1:00 PM · May 8, 2009·Twitter Web Client
Twitter
Brian Hurley
@differentlyreal
“You are not illiterate.”—fortune cookie from Green Apple Books
12:12 PM · Feb 17, 2014·TweetDeck
The Daily Meal
The 14 Funniest Fortune Cookie Fortunes Ever Found Slideshow
July 24, 2015
By Carlton Jared Lockett
(...)
Fortune 9
You are not illiterate.
Twitter
Samsohn
@Samsohn
What a terrible fortune cookie: “you are not illiterate.” No shit!!! Ridiculous! #badfortune #fortunecookie
1:24 PM · Jun 16, 2017·Twitter for Android
Twitter
Katelynn Watkins
@katelynnedits
Best (worst?) fortune cookie fortune ever: “You are not illiterate.” Go figure #WednesdayWisdom #writelikeaboss #literacyforthewin
5:38 PM · Jun 3, 2020·Twitter for iPhone
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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