“The best time to start thinking about your retirement is before the boss does” is a jocular saying about retirement that has been included in many quotation collections. The saying possibly was first used by the syndicated comic strip “Little Liz” in June 1958.
Google Books
The Office Economist
Volumes 38-42
1956 (The Google Books date may be incorrect—ed.)
Pg. 14:
The best time to start thinking about your retirement is before the boss does.
Google News Archive
30 June 1958, Portsmouth (OH) Times, “Little Liz,” pg. 2, col. 2:
The best time to start thinking about your retirement is before the boss does.
17 January 1992, Marietta (GA) Daily Journal, pg. 5B, col. 1:
Yesterday’s Cryptoquote: THE BEST TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT YOUR RETIREMENT IS BEFORE THE BOSS DOES.—AUTHOR UNKNOWN.
Google Books
Phillips’ Book of Great Thoughts, Funny Sayings:
A stupendous collection of quotes, quips, epigrams, witticisms, and humorous comments
By Bob Phillips
Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House
1993
Pg. 273:
The best time to start thinking about your retirement is before the boss does. Anonymous
Google Books
The Quote Manual:
Wisdom and Wit of the Ages:
A fifty-year collection of inspirational and thought provoking quotes
By Robert G. Moscatelli
Bloomington, IN: Authorhouse
2005
Pg. 202:
“The best time to start thinking about your retirement is before the boss does.” Unknown
Google Books
Getting Ready for Retirement:
Preparing for a Quality of Life for the Rest of Your Life
By Tina Manion
Lincoln, NE: iUniverse
2008
Pg. 104:
“The best time to start thinking about your retirement is before the boss does.”
Source unknown
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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