Digging around the web with Google, the only cite I can find for someone claiming it’s theirs is Tim McClure / Founder, President of Mythos Group on this page:
http://www.gsdm.com/who_index/who_fearless/who_fearless.html
However, Google brings up numerous references to “Strong, like bull. Smart, like tractor. Beautiful, like KV-2.” Nearly all seem to be copies of the same How to insult someone pages. A few cite “Strong like bull, smart like streetcar” and “As strong as an ox, and as smart as two”.
For those of you wondering, the KV-2 is a WWII tank, which probably pre-dates Mr. McClure… It’s pretty ugly, even for a tank:
http://www.nemo.nu/ibisportal/5pansar/5sidor/kv2.htm
Anybody know where “Strong, like bull. Smart, like tractor.” comes from, or what/who popularized it?
“Strong like bull” was a phrase used by Uncle Tonoose (Hans Conried) on the old Danny Thomas show “Make Room for Daddy.”
Don’t know if it predates Uncle Tonoose.
The gals in a theatre group I once worked with used a variaiton of the phrase to motivate themselves to excercise and dance, so that they could be “Strong, like bull. Graceful, like gazelle. Skinny, like boa constrictor.”
Found it! On this site: http://www.marjorielord.com/daddy.htm
“298. Tonoose Needs Glasses
guest stars: Hans Conried (Uncle Tonoose) Philip Ober (Dr. Edwards)
In town for his physical examination, Tonoose demonstrates to Charley, Bunny and the kids that he is still “strong as a bull.” But the doctor does focus on one flaw, which upsets Tonoose terribly - he needs glasses.
aired: 21-Jan-1963”
Does anybody know if he (or someone) says the “smart like tractor” part?
In the military, I always heard it as “Strong like bull; smart like dumptruck.” But a search reveals only a porno site. :eek:
Eek! Thanks for searching, Chefguy. I hope you weren’t at work.