The origin of this Phrase I would like to know

Posted by Sauerkraut on December 23, 2000

In Reply to: The origin of this Phrase I would like to know posted by Barney on December 23, 2000

: The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

The origin may be lost in the mists of time ever since the mouse trap was invented.
That the first Bird - or the first one to get to an opportunity gets the Worm, or desired outcome is obvious.

However, since cheese is used to bait a mousetrap, the first mouse trips it and is killed. Now comes the second mouse, who can now eat the cheese with impunity.