Taking credit for another's catch phrase

In My Humble Opinion
1

There are several catch phrases or semi-famous quotes that I sometimes call into service because they are, well, serviceable for the moment at hand. I rarely ever give credit for said quote, usually because it’s awkward to do so in casual conversation. So is it wrong to use somebody else’s quote without giving credit? My feeling is that just because I don’t credit somebody with the witty remark, that doesn’t automatically mean that I made it up myself, although you are free to assume so :slight_smile:

How about something like this, for the phrase

Is it okay for me use this phrase & omit credit, if I proceed thusly:

On first usage: “Like my good friend Cecil Adams once said, if ignorance were cornflakes, you’d be General Mills”.

On second usage: “Like I once said, if ignorance were cornflakes, you’d be General Mills”.

On third usage: “Like I always say, if ignorance were cornflakes, you’d be General Mills”.

I figure that, after I’ve used the phrase three or more times, it does become “something I always say”. So is it wrong to stop giving credit to my good friend, Cecil Adams?

2

I’ve always said, “If you use it three times it’s yours.” Oh wait, hang on a sec. If you use it three times it’s yours. If you use it three times it’s yours.

Now, like I always say, “If you use it three times it’s yours.”

3

Well, Cecil has used lines of mine in the column without crediting me, so I wouldn’t worry about quoting him! - Jill

4

:eek: Egad! Do you mean to say that if pilfered quips were cornflakes, Cecil would be General Mills???! [so many people gasping that the barometric pressure changes!]

Once upon a time, Vaudeville comics were hassled mightily for stealing jokes. Gracie Allen’s Hepplewhite bird had to be changed, for example, because another comic had a joke about a bird who flew backwards in order to see where he’d been. That’s all water over the bridge now. Entire sitcom episodes are routinely lifted with no batted eyes. Relax.