In Hebrew there’s a phrase that translates to “third time - ice cream.” It is generally said when someone meets someone (by chance) for a third time in a row, There is no ice cream purchased, just the expression is said.
There have been many searches for the origin of the phrase, and most of the theories suggested don’t really hold up. For example, one suggestion is that it’s a corruption of the English phrases “Next time I scream” or “Third time I scream” - except no one actually says that in English. Or they suggest a connection to “third time’s a charm” - but that’s an intentional attempt to get something to work on a third try, which doesn’t fit the occasion the expression is used.
I recently found a Hebrew book published in 1974, where the main character doesn’t use the phrase, but she does say to a man she’s flirting with (after seeing him twice that day), “The next time you have to buy me ice cream.” (This 1974 book is several years before any other citation of the phrase has been found.)
The man didn’t understand why she said that, so she said to him that “that’s the custom - when you meet for the third time.” The narrator then adds that the character had read about women doing this in magazines she had read.
It seems to me that the author didn’t invent this practice out of thin air. Rather, perhaps there was a movie or novel where a character had made some similar offer - specifically suggesting ice cream. Although the phrase is in Hebrew, it’s reasonable to assume that it might have been from a movie or book in English.
By any chance, does anyone know of a fictional situation where such a phrase, or something very similar, was used? Or how to go about finding it?
" Israelis have some hilarious theories about where “third time, ice cream” came from. One pervasive theory is it’s from the British Mandate period when English speakers would say something like “if I see you again, I’ll scream.” I’ll scream = ice cream. Get it? No English speakers buy that theory at all.
Another common one is that it comes from the German. “Next time we meet, we’ll have a beer.” Possible. But there’s no three and there’s no ice cream.
In my personal experience, I found it used by men who think they are being suave. I’ll see them more than once in a short span of time, and they say, “Pa’am shlishit, glida?” like they’re asking for a date. Uh. No. Stalker. giant eyeroll
The explanation I found in a deep crevice in the internet was biblical. When the Israelites left Egypt, they need help from God to survive. At their first stop, God provided water. At the second stop, God provided water and dates. At the third stop, God gave them manna. Manna is described as “thin as frost.” When the Bible was translated into Aramaic, frost was translated as – wait for it – glida!"
Thanks - I’ve seen all that before. It’s very cute, but as you can imagine, not really persuasive.
Like I said, I’m looking for some source external to Hebrew culture where the suggestion for ice cream is actually documented. It might not exist, but I’m doing my best to try to find it.
I understand what you’re looking for, but I can’t find a non-Hebrew reference. I’ve watched lots of old American movies and nothing comes to mind. I’ve never heard anyone say it either in the US or in the UK, so there’s a real possibility it’s a meme of non-English origin. Hopefully someone will find something definitive.