# What did the fortune teller say to the cop? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 1, 2019, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028 "2019-08-01T21:07:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2019, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/1 "2019-08-01T21:07:53Z")
I’m re-reading Robert Heinlein’s “The Door Into Summer”. One his signature tricks is have a character offhandedly use an idiom that is purportedly well known, such as Mrs. Grundy - a figuratively prudish neighbor (that was in the Lazarus Long books, I think). In this book he describes the Mia. Character in a conflict with a co-worker who wants him to do something he doesn’t want to do. He says, “I old him what the fortune teller told the cop.” Anyone know what that means? I can’t find anything useful in my searches. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2019, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/2 "2019-08-01T21:24:24Z")
Found this, FWIW: [https://alt.fan.heinlein.narkive.com/hK1mABXa/door-into-summer-question](https://alt.fan.heinlein.narkive.com/hK1mABXa/door-into-summer-question) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/3 "2019-08-02T02:00:03Z")
My google-fu came up with “the serpent of the devil lies in the garden of the iron sisters" but I don’t think that’s it. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/4 "2019-08-02T02:17:35Z")
“I see great disappointment in your future” or something very similar to that was a kind of gag reply to requests for help back in the day. Maybe something like that? ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d78d45/32.png) [@Civil\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/5 "2019-08-02T02:49:43Z")
“This is not your lucky day.” _Okay, another wild-ass guess, but I think it sounds pretty good._ ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/6 "2019-08-02T02:54:52Z")
I have no idea but I am familiar with the Mrs. Grundy reference. And here’s its origin. > **[Definition of MRS. GRUNDY](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Mrs.%20Grundy)** > > one marked by prudish conventionality in personal conduct… See the full definition ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/7 "2019-08-02T03:54:51Z")
I haven’t the faintest. But I googled “what the fortune teller told the cop” (slightly different phrasing) and found this: > **[Meh: Olympus SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review](https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/62917442)** > > Expert news, reviews and videos of the latest digital cameras, lenses, accessories, and phones. Get answers to your questions in our photography forums. > [@](#): > > It’s a flathead, no overhead valves. I said this and the owner, otherwise OK, told me that I must not call it a flathead since it’s British and they call that a side valve engine, so I must, too. I told him what the fortune teller told the cop. I’m not going to sign onto that forum and ask what the poster means, though. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/8 "2019-08-02T04:57:22Z")
As long as we’re on the subject, can somebody explain the meaning of a line in Bruce Springsteen’s song “4th of July, Asbury Park”? The one where he says _“Did you hear the cops finally busted Madame Marie/For tellin’ fortunes better than they do”_. What did Springsteen mean? Why would the police be telling fortunes? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/9 "2019-08-02T06:51:38Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > As long as we’re on the subject, can somebody explain the meaning of a line in Bruce Springsteen’s song “4th of July, Asbury Park”? The one where he says _“Did you hear the cops finally busted Madame Marie/For tellin’ fortunes better than they do”_. What did Springsteen mean? Why would the police be telling fortunes? “You’re going to jail”? ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/10 "2019-08-02T10:58:23Z")
“Be _really_ careful the week before you retire.” ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/11 "2019-08-02T15:06:00Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > As long as we’re on the subject, can somebody explain the meaning of a line in Bruce Springsteen’s song “4th of July, Asbury Park”? The one where he says _“Did you hear the cops finally busted Madame Marie/For tellin’ fortunes better than they do”_. What did Springsteen mean? Why would the police be telling fortunes? Ooh, I know this one! Bruce and his teenage pals used to hang out on the boardwalk in Asbury Park, and got to know the regulars. There were a whole lot of carnies (and fortune tellers) that ALL the locals knew. A friend of mine who spent his misguided youth down there says they all thought it was great that The Boss put these locals in his song: “Hey, that rundown Tilt-A-Whirl on the south beach drag! Madam Marie! The boys from the casino who dance with their shirts open! Oh, man, he remembers ALL of it!” I heard every once in a while the cops would bust some of the carny folk (probably for cheating or pick-pocketing). When they busted Mme. Marie, the local kids were just guessing at a reason. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/12 "2019-08-02T17:25:20Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Ooh, I know this one! Bruce and his teenage pals used to hang out on the boardwalk in Asbury Park, and got to know the regulars. There were a whole lot of carnies (and fortune tellers) that ALL the locals knew. > > A friend of mine who spent his misguided youth down there says they all thought it was great that The Boss put these locals in his song: “Hey, that rundown Tilt-A-Whirl on the south beach drag! Madam Marie! The boys from the casino who dance with their shirts open! Oh, man, he remembers ALL of it!” > > I heard every once in a while the cops would bust some of the carny folk (probably for cheating or pick-pocketing). When they busted Mme. Marie, the local kids were just guessing at a reason. The real life Marie Castello was never actually arrested; Springsteen made that part up. But that wasn’t the point of my question. I understand that the police arrest fortune tellers for crimes like cheating or pick-pocketing. But the song said Madam Marie was arrested for telling fortunes better than the police did - which makes no obvious sense. I’m assuming Springsteen meant it in some metaphorical sense but I can’t figure out what literal activity he’s referred to. ---
**Author:** ![Just1Lurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c0e974/32.png) [@Just1Lurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just1Lurk)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/13 "2019-08-02T18:48:09Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The real life Marie Castello was never actually arrested; Springsteen made that part up. > > But that wasn’t the point of my question. I understand that the police arrest fortune tellers for crimes like cheating or pick-pocketing. But the song said Madam Marie was arrested for telling fortunes better than the police did - which makes no obvious sense. I’m assuming Springsteen meant it in some metaphorical sense but I can’t figure out what literal activity he’s referred to. Just guessing, but maybe she told Springsteen he’d go far, while the cops told him different? Don’t know they’d arrest her for that, though ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/14 "2019-08-02T18:55:06Z")
It reminds me of the old quip, what do the cops call a psychic who tells them accurately exactly where the body is buried? A suspect. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/15 "2019-08-02T19:02:04Z")
I can’t help but wonder if this phrase is related to “said the actor/actress to the bishop” (discussed here previously, [here](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=261626) if nowhere else). ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/16 "2019-08-02T20:12:38Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The real life Marie Castello was never actually arrested; Springsteen made that part up. > > But that wasn’t the point of my question. I understand that the police arrest fortune tellers for crimes like cheating or pick-pocketing. But the song said Madam Marie was arrested for telling fortunes better than the police did - which makes no obvious sense. I’m assuming Springsteen meant it in some metaphorical sense but I can’t figure out what literal activity he’s referred to. It could be that when a cop arrests you, he’s “telling your fortune”: he’s saying, you’re a criminal and you’re gonna serve time. But sometimes they’re wrong. Sometimes people they arrest don’t get convicted, don’t serve time. If they’re pissed that their conviction rates are low, they’ll be jealous of the fortune-teller whose fortunes have a higher success rate. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2019, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/17 "2019-08-03T23:35:57Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > It could be that when a cop arrests you, he’s “telling your fortune”: he’s saying, you’re a criminal and you’re gonna serve time. > > But sometimes they’re wrong. Sometimes people they arrest don’t get convicted, don’t serve time. > > If they’re pissed that their conviction rates are low, they’ll be jealous of the fortune-teller whose fortunes have a higher success rate. Or maybe just “Hey, you kids are never goin’ anywhere. Yer gonna be stuck in this town 'less you straighten up. Ya don’t stay in school, ya keep playing that rock music, you’ll end up in the slammer.” Y’know, stuff my dad and his friends said all the time… ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/18 "2019-08-04T00:23:34Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The real life Marie Castello was never actually arrested; Springsteen made that part up. > > But that wasn’t the point of my question. I understand that the police arrest fortune tellers for crimes like cheating or pick-pocketing. But the song said Madam Marie was arrested for telling fortunes better than the police did - which makes no obvious sense. I’m assuming Springsteen meant it in some metaphorical sense but I can’t figure out what literal activity he’s referred to. Maybe it isn’t literal. Sometimes writers actually make up things for effect. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/19 "2019-08-04T01:50:18Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Maybe it isn’t literal. Sometimes writers actually make up things for effect. No! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-fortune-teller-say-to-the-cop/838028/20 "2019-08-04T02:05:38Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Maybe it isn’t literal. Sometimes writers actually make up things for effect. Next you’ll be telling me that little Early-Pearly didn’t really come in on her curly-wurly and ask Springsteen if he needed a ride.