Ernestine ulmer biography channel

Ernestine Ulmer? Arthur Murray? Earl Wilson? Leopold Fechtner? Anonymous?

Dear Quote Investigator: T-shirts and bumper stickers present a modern proverb about the precariousness of existence.

Ernestine ulmer biography channel 7

Here are two versions:

• Eat dessert first because life is uncertain.
• Life is uncertain, so eat dessert first.

Ernestine Ulmer often receives credit although that name is somewhat obscure. Would you please explore the provenance of this expression?

Quote Investigator: The earliest match located by QI appeared in the popular syndicated column of Earl Wilson in 1962.

The well-known ballroom dancer and entrepreneur Arthur Murray received credit. Boldface added to excerpts by QI:

Arthur Murray says he always eats dessert first, because life is so uncertain.

The statement above referred to a single person; hence, it was not in proverbial form, but the phrasing evolved over time.

Below are additional selected citations in chronological order.

In 1977 the “Encyclopedia of