# Origin of "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 15, 2004, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317 "2004-05-15T20:38:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/1 "2004-05-15T20:38:43Z")
“Is it bigger than a breadbox” is always one of the questions in any humorous 20-questions list. Does anyone know where it originates? I couldn’t find anything helpful searching. ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/2 "2004-05-15T21:39:48Z")
Back in the early days of TV there were two game shows called _I’ve Got a Secret_ and _What’s My Line?_ where celebrity panelist (often interchanged between the two shows) tried to guess either the occupation or some other fact about the “mystery challenger.” Whenever they were trying to find out about some physical object that the person worked with, one of the first questions was, “Is it bigger than a breadbox?” I’m not aware of any earlier usage, but someone else may be along with other evidence. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/3 "2004-05-15T21:52:48Z")
The line was Steve Allen’s catchphrase on \* What’s My Line?\* From his 1960 autobiography, _Mark It and Strike It_: > [@](#): > > The one line that seems to have stuck in the public consciousness is one whose popularity has always been a puzzle to me. One evening, in trying to determine the size of an object that was manufactured by one of the guests, I said, “Is is bigger than a breadbox?” I meant this in all seriousness, but for some reason the audience laughed uproariously. Perhaps the reason is that the breadbox is an old-fashioned item to today’s homemakers and so the word had the sort of connotation that surrounds phrases like high-button shoes, celluloid collar, or raccoon coat. In any event, from that day to this the phrase has been a part of the American vernacular. Dorothy, Bennett, and Arlene picked it up as a sort of running joke and there was a time when every week somebody would send me an unusual breadbox or ask me for mine or send me a song about breadboxes or something of the sort. One kitchenware manufacturer even wanted to put a Steve Allen breadbox on the market. ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/4 "2004-05-15T22:27:36Z")
I love the SDMB. Thanks, guys. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/5 "2004-05-16T00:12:33Z")
I am reminded of the episode of “Matlock” set on a game show where the host’s catchphrase was, “Put the apple pie in the oven, mother – I’m comin’ home!” or something like that. A scene later in the episode showed the host groaning loudly about all the frickin’ apples that his idiot fans kept sending him (as, of course, he was eating an apple). I wonder if Steve Allen grew to hate bread? ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/6 "2004-05-16T01:11:40Z")
Kinduv off-topic, but I had to throw this in: * * * INT. SPIKE’S CRYPT - NIGHT Spike and Harmony sit opposite each other. SPIKE (resigned) Okay, is it bigger than a bread box? HARMONY (delighted) No… Four left. SPIKE So it’s smaller than a bread box? Harmony claps with excitement. HARMONY No-o! Only three. SPIKE (seething calm) Harmony. Is it a sodding bread box? ## HARMONY Yes! Omigod, someone’s blondey bear’s a twenty questions genius! (From buffy the vampire slayer, “Out of my mind.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/7 "2004-05-16T01:14:30Z")
I’m reminded of one of my favorite exchanges on **BtVS** between Spike and Harmony. SPIKE: Okay, is it bigger than a breadbox? HARMONY: (smiling) No. Four left. SPIKE: So it’s smaller than a breadbox. HARMONY: (giggling) No! Only three! SPIKE: (quietly annoyed) Harmony … is it a sodding breadbox? HARMONY: (clapping and laughing) Yes! Oh my god! Someone’s blondie bear is a twenty-question genius! ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/8 "2004-05-16T01:41:39Z")
Whooa! Simulpost and how! Here’s my favorite breadbox-scene: [http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=20001014&mode=classic](http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=20001014&mode=classic) ---
**Author:** ![Kreekurmudgeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@Kreekurmudgeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kreekurmudgeon)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/9 "2004-05-16T01:54:24Z")
IIRC, it predates “What’s My Line” and “I’ve Got a Secret.” I first heard it on an old radio show, probably late '40s or early '50s, called – would you beleive it – “Twenty Questions.” Among it’s regular guests were Bennett Cerf and Ed Zern. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/10 "2004-05-16T02:42:17Z")
Why did people ever use a breadbox and why don’t they anymore? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/11 "2004-05-16T02:47:29Z")
I’m reminded of one of the last episodes of _Soap_ where Jessica Tate was playing 20 Questions with her captors. Her first question on each item was “is it bigger than a breadbox” ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/12 "2004-05-16T05:19:07Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Why did people ever use a breadbox and why don’t they anymore? WAG: a breadbox was used to keep bread from going stale back when it wasn’t possible to go shopping every day. Because we can now get bread much more conveniently, theres no more need for a breadbox. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/13 "2004-05-16T06:14:16Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Why did people ever use a breadbox and why don’t they anymore? People used breadboxes because they didn’t have fridges and just leaving bread out is an open invitation to pests, mold, etc. And, yes, I still do have and use a breadbox. A nice enameled metal one that says ‘Fresh Bread’, no less. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/14 "2004-05-16T07:26:19Z")
I grew up in a breadbox home and that wasn’t that long ago in the grander breadbox scheme of things. I’ve seen dozens of episodes of the old b/w _What’s My Line_ and _I’ve Got a Secret_ and for a running gag it’s conspicuous in its absence. Size questions always seemed to be in the eps I’ve seen expressed in terms of whether it would fit in one’s hand. I’m fascinated that the simulposted BtVS quotes have different stage directions. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/15 "2004-05-16T09:46:14Z")
Huh? Breadboxes are outdated? I have one, my parents have one, everyone I know has one. Why wouldn’t you have a breadbox? **Derleth** : You keep bread in the _fridge_? ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/16 "2004-05-16T11:48:46Z")
> [@Priceguy](#): > > Huh? Breadboxes are outdated? I have one, my parents have one, everyone I know has one. Why wouldn’t you have a breadbox? > > **Derleth** : You keep bread in the _fridge_? Actually, I tend to keep bread in the freezer and thaw it out in the toaster or microwave when I need some. :] But then, I mostly eat bread as toast. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/17 "2004-05-16T14:24:52Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > I’ve seen dozens of episodes of the old b/w _What’s My Line_ and _I’ve Got a Secret_ and for a running gag it’s conspicuous in its absence. Size questions always seemed to be in the eps I’ve seen expressed in terms of whether it would fit in one’s hand. First of all, that phrase is associated solely with “WML”, and not “IGAS”. Secondly, it wasn’t used nearly as often as myth says. I’ve seen hundreds of episodes of “WML”, and I’ve never heard anyone ask that question. And, yes, it is highly likely that “20 Questions” used that question. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/18 "2004-05-16T17:33:26Z")
Upon reading this threa, I realized that I’d never actually seen a breadbox. Or if I have, I certainly don’t remember it. So I have to ask: How large is a breadbox? Are they large enough to hold one or two loaves? And what about different shaped loaves? Can they hold both the long skinny loaves and the short fat ones? But this line of questions quickly lead to wondering if they’d standardized the size of breadboxes. Has NIST defined how large a breadbox is? Is there a differenece between a US Customary breadbox and an Imperial breadbox? Is there a platinum-iridium breadbox kept in a vault in Paris that all other breadboxes are measured against? Inquiring minds want to know! ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/19 "2004-05-16T17:36:06Z")
> [@Governor Quinn](#): > > First of all, that phrase is associated solely with “WML”, and not “IGAS”. > > Secondly, it wasn’t used nearly as often as myth says. I’ve seen hundreds of episodes of “WML”, and I’ve never heard anyone ask that question. > > And, yes, it is highly likely that “20 Questions” used that question. WHY is it highly likely that “20 Questions” used that question? Did you watch the multiple-hundreds of WML shows at the time they appeared? What period of time would you have watched the shows? It was live from 1950-1967. Steve Allen was on there only on the 1953-54 seasons. If he originated the question, it probably would only have been used in the mid-late 50’s, perhaps the very early 60’s. It would have been a stale question at some point, and not used much. Because it was shown at 10:30 on Sunday night for most of its life, while I think I also saw hundreds of shows, it was probably late 50’s-very early 60’s, when I would have been allowed to stay up that late on a school night. I THINK I have a memory of hearing the phrase used, but memories are tricky things. Just ask your MOM. You remember things as a kid, but your Mom can supply the straightdope in many cases. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317/20 "2004-05-16T17:49:31Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > Upon reading this threa, I realized that I’d never actually seen a breadbox. Or if I have, I certainly don’t remember it. So I have to ask: How large is a breadbox? Are they large enough to hold one or two loaves? And what about different shaped loaves? Can they hold both the long skinny loaves and the short fat ones?! A breadbox was a vented, metal cabinet about 18-24 inches long, 12 inches high, and 12-18 inches wide. About the size of a very modern, average microwave oven. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-is-it-bigger-than-a-breadbox/245317.md?page=2)