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I resemble that remark (was: A Language Puzzle)

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Nick Harby

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Jun 22, 2001, 2:50:58 PM6/22/01
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Richard Fontana wrote:

> On Fri, 22 Jun 2001, Steve Hayes wrote:
>
> > And please, what does the saying "I resemble that remark" mean?
> >
> > I've often seen it written in electronic messages, but it is quite meaningless
> > to me, because in most cases I see no resemblance at all.
> >
> > How can a person resemble a remark?
>
> It's derived from the older expression "I resent that remark",

> "I
> resemble that remark" means "What you've just said is applicable to me, or
> describes me very accurately". It's a comical expression. I don't know
> where or when it originated, but one suspects it dates back to the "Ladies
> and Germs" era of humor history.

It's a malapropism that was said by Curly of the Three Stooges. I don't know if he
was the first to say it, but my guess is that his use of it made it popular. I'm
crossposting this to the Stooges newsgroup in the hope that some of the regulars
there can post what Stooges film it appeared in.

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