# Does the phrase "beans, greens, potatoes, tomatoes" mean anything to you?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-phrase-beans-greens-potatoes-tomatoes-mean-anything-to-you/1022475>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [August 25, 2025, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-phrase-beans-greens-potatoes-tomatoes-mean-anything-to-you/1022475 "2025-08-25T23:27:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2025, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-phrase-beans-greens-potatoes-tomatoes-mean-anything-to-you/1022475/1 "2025-08-25T23:27:54Z")

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I first heard this phrase in an SNL bit. The setting was a Democratic debate, and Corey Booker, portrayed by Chris Redd, was trying to demonstrate his Black cred and said, “Black church. Barbershop. Beans. Greens. Potatoes. Tomatoes.” I didn’t get it, figuring (rightly, as I would later learn) that it had to do with Black culture and since I am white, wasn’t in on the joke.

Fast forward a few years, I heard a Black comedian on SiriusXM comedy radio explain the joke. I don’t remember the specifics of his version of the story, but it had something to do witha Gospel singer, Sirley Caesar, and her being asked about her cooking, [and she responded in song](https://youtu.be/sf4TEWr3rJg?si=SP0GyLbQk8oAbejx).

OK, now I get the original SNL joke, ten or so years later. Not the first time I’ve gotten a joke years after the fact (ask me about the episode of _The Simpsons_ with the Flaming Homer some time).

Fast forward a few more years. A couple of days ago I was making small talk with a (white) client at work, and I was discussing the canning I’d done the previous day. She asked me what I canned, and in a moment of cheek, I said, “greens, beans, potatoes, tomatoes.” And instantly she chimed back in with “lamb, ram, hogs’ maws” and we both had a laugh. She said she had heard it on TikTok.

Anyway, have any of you other Dopers heard this bit?

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**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2025, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-phrase-beans-greens-potatoes-tomatoes-mean-anything-to-you/1022475/2 "2025-08-25T23:36:53Z")

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Skipping the OP, just answering the title:

Yes, that phrase was part of a viral video I first saw in November 2016 leading up to Thanksgiving. Could probably find the video and link it, but will have to do it later.

EDIT: Read the OP. You included a link to remix version of the original 2016 video. But, yes, that’s the lady.