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342

I was watching a documentary about machinery made in the UK and they went into this elaborate thing where old gas station pumps were colloquially called Fat Ladies and that this was the origin for the expression, "It ain't over until the fat lady sings."

Which, if you spent even a few minutes in my head you'd know, I'm eventually going to ask for a citation for that.

So, today, I went looking for a source for that claim.

The first known written use was, "The opera isn't over until the fat lady sings." It was some sports writer and in something like 1976.

That's when things get credit and there's seemingly (I scoured Google) any real source for the claim made in the documentary. That's just horrible.

I was watching a documentary about machinery made in the UK and they went into this elaborate thing where old gas station pumps were colloquially called Fat Ladies and that this was the origin for the expression, "It ain't over until the fat lady sings." Which, if you spent even a few minutes in my head you'd know, I'm eventually going to ask for a citation for that. So, today, I went looking for a source for that claim. The first *known* written use was, "The opera isn't over until the fat lady sings." It was some sports writer and in something like 1976. That's when things get credit and there's seemingly (I scoured Google) any real source for the claim made in the documentary. That's just horrible.

(post is archived)

[–] • 3 pts

You found an untruth on tv? I'm shocked, Shocked i tell you

[–] • 2 pts

Maybe - I can find no source for that. None!

[–] • 1 pt

I don't believe in sourcing things. If it's in my head and rattlin' around and I throw it out there, who the hell is anyone to demand that I give them a source? I'm the source damn it, that's all anyone needs.

[–] • 0 pt

Opera way predates gas stations, so logically thinking (fuck google) I would think the opera source to be more likely.

[–] • 0 pt

By all means, you're welcome to find a source to support what you believe to be true.

[–] • 0 pt

I guess what I'm saying is maybe the source is not findable via Google. Maybe a really old book (Victorian era kind of book) back when opera was a thing. I don't know. Just saying I bet that guy from the 70s got if from somewhere since fat ladies have been singing for a looooong time. :)

[–] • 0 pt

Oh, I found a few sites (including Wikipedia) that specialize in it, via Google.

They did the research and came up with the first known use not being until like 1976.