We hardly knew ye

Posted by Andrew C on August 16, 2003

This more a question of origins than of meaning.

"(deceased person), we hardly knew ye"

I've seen it all over the place, but the only reference that comes to mind was on a Simpsons where Troy McClure does his riff: "You may remember me from such films as 'Andre the Giant: We Hardly Knew Ye'...".

Of course this same phrase pops up frequently in jest, but can anyone find where this first became popularized? Or at the very least a reference pre-dating Simpsons?