Woman:man:: fish:bicycle

Posted by ESC on June 11, 2001

In Reply to: Woman:man:: fish:bicycle posted by Bob on June 11, 2001

: : : There seems to be some doubt as to the originator of "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle".

: : : Some say Gloria Steinem and others Florence Kennedy. Has anyone got any evidence to support either please?

: : : Gary

: : I don't have any at hand; this is one of those maddening times when I remember seeing something about that but I don't remember where. But the original wording was "A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle."

: I also remember (from about 1961) a popular graffito "A man without God is like a fish without a bicycle." Whether that was someone leapfrogging off Ms.Steinem and/or Kennedy, or actually predated their version, I can't say.

"The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Quotations" By Tony Augarde (Oxford University Press, Oxford and New York, 1992)has the quote under Gloria Steinem -- "A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle. Attributed."

But I'm not altogether convinced that it isn't Florynce Kennedy. I looked in "My Soul Looks back, 'less I Forget: A Collection of Quotations by People of Color" edited by Dorothy Winbush Riley. A couple of great quotes were listed by Ms. Kennedy, but no fish. That book spells her name "Florynce."

The search continues.

• English Sayings & Idioms Luana 07/12/01