Eat your spinach/broccoli/vegetables

Sat Apr 3 14:44:53 UTC 2004

   Yeah, I was just kidding about working ten hours a day in a room with no
air.  Yesterday it was 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.  It'll all change in about a
week, or about 120 days.  Maybe I'll be a human being then, but probably not then,
either.
   They let me out for the weekends to hear David Shulman's poems.

   On Word Spy today is "spinach cinema."  Paul McFedries notes that
"spinach" is common in these constructions.  It sure is.  I wouldn't have even
considered it as a new "word of the day."
   It's time to take a look at "eat your broccoli" and "eat your spinach" and
"eat your vegetables" and "no dessert until..." and other "food momisms."

EAT YOUR BROCCOLI--1,600 Google hits, 979 Google Groups hits
EAT YOUR SPINACH--2,820 Google hits, 2,260 Google Groups hits
EAT YOUR VEGETABLES--25,500 Google hits, 4,810 Google Groups hits
EAT YOUR VEGETABLES + GROW UP + MOTHER--932 Google hits, 387 Google Groups
hits
NO DESSERT UNTIL--359 Google hits, 114 Google Groups hits
NO DESSERT TILL--188 Google hits, 69 Google Groups hits
MOMISM + MOTHER--575 Google hits, 107 Google Groups hits
MOM ISM + MOTHER--67 Google hits, 25 Google Groups hits

   The revised OED has "momism" from 1942, meaning "excessive attachment to
one's mother; maternal domination."  "Momism" is more popularly a saying from
mom, such as "eat your vegetables."  There's no definition for that given in
OED.
   We'll check Newspaperarchive for the above.

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EAT YOUR SPINACH--121 Newspaperarchive hits

Reno Evening Gazette - 8/28/1930
...day millions of mothers say. "If you don't EAT YOUR SPINACH you won't grow
up to be like.....finds out that things that persons like to EAT are really
what they need. COPPER IN THE.....as those chromes they print along with YOUR
It IB all propaganda. Everybody knows me.....You can't push it back, but you
can prolong YOUR days by EATing foods that keep the..
Reno, Nevada Thursday, August 28, 1930  623 k

Stevens Point Daily Journal - 4/28/1931
...to bej agreeable to YOUR wife and EAT YOUR SPINACH like a man in the I
future. Til.....of a meeting with the coat1 Agrees to EAT His i SPINACH Like a
Man Evanston, HI.....for her husband j it's likely that hell EAT He was
sentenced 10 do sol yesterday by a.....1 The next time Mrs. A. TL. Kingrj cooks
SPINACH..
Stevens Point, Wisconsin Tuesday, April 28, 1931  853 k

Nevada State Journal - 4/6/1931
...by request. FAMOUS LAST WORDS. EAT YOUR SPINACH, Daddy then I'll EAT mine.
In Sparks..
Reno, Nevada Monday, April 06, 1931  901 k

Gettysburg Times - 1/16/1929
...hands for it's time for tea "I don' t EAT YOUR SPINACH and clean YOUR
.plate Speak YOUR.....KM done wonders for me. I could not EAT nor sleep, I had a
tired, worn-out.....YOUR worn-out tissues and revitalize YOUR entire system.
YOUR money hack if you.....State Board of Agriculture. Unbottled Take YOUR bath
and scrub YOUR j Here goes a rock..
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Wednesday, January 16, 1929  939 k

Iowa City Press Citizen - 11/11/1926
...stressing "You need YOUR milk, Jimmy.' "EAT YOUR SPINACH Sally." When the
children are.....unhappy, self-denied PRESS-CITIZEN EAT AND BE HEALTHY DINAH
DAY'S DAILY TALKS ON.....much can be done by teaching the child to EAT what is'
necessary and by later being.....food daintily served and see that they EAT
it. If they are never spoiled by knick..
Iowa City, Iowa Thursday, November 11, 1926  804 k

Bridgeport Telegram - 3/3/1926
...did not cry. UsuaJly. "Well, never mind. EAT YOUR SPINACH. The eprg Is all
crinkly.....measure it. Let's seo, how do you usually EAT sandwiches? From
ear to ear? Or do you.....not like you to shirk." "O mother, I can't EAT it when
I think of sewing. Tou don't know.....sandwich, please, wo have a sandwich to
fit YOUR slzn Waitress Vv'imt's tne size of YOUR..
Bridgeport, Connecticut Wednesday, March 03, 1926  725 k

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - 4/30/1905
...and tastes and gives one an appetite. 'EAT YOUR SPINACH hot for a
.vegetable, and.....biilor herbs to supply the demand, but. we EAT lettuce, SPINACH
and watercress, or.....cereal, from now on for several months and EAT it first,
not after some other foud has.....for lunch or dinner. If the family does not
EAT oil, substitute fruit juice for tho..
Fort Wayne, Indiana Sunday, April 30, 1905  667 k

Indiana Weekly Messenger - 6/11/1925
...to think of babies' mothers saying: 'Now EAT YOUR SPINACH, every scrap, or
you can't.....have any dessert Carrots make YOUR eyes bright. Finish YOUR
potato.....where the feudal system meant that any day YOUR next-door neighbor
might take it into..
Indiana, Pennsylvania Thursday, June 11, 1925  750 k

Nevada State Journal - 11/18/1929
...and her mother FAMOUS LAST WORDS. Hector EAT YOUR SPINACH Keep moving. THE
WEATHER.....in a remarkably short space of time, rid YOUR home of insects who
tip over highball.....admiringly. "I've just received word that YOUR salary
will be raised beginning the..
Reno, Nevada Monday, November 18, 1929  771 k

Sheboygan Press - 2/19/1925
...to think of bnbies' mothers saying: 'Now EAT YOUR SPINACH, every scrap, or
you can't.....have any dessert Carrots make YOUR eyes bright. Finish YOUR
potato.....wnere rne system inrtint that any day YOUR nest-door neighbor might
take it into..
Sheboygan, Wisconsin Thursday, February 19, 1925  783 k

Bedford Gazette - 3/20/1925
...Those French and Italian gimj -mg 'Now EAT YOUR SPINACH, every cracky
things they.....Suddenly, looking at them. Dirk said. ''Now YOUR hands. I love
YOUR hands, Mother." She.....like 'em. 1 1 think, sometimes, of the way YOUR
fasuppose I'm wrong, but to me they j..
Bedford, Pennsylvania Friday, March 20, 1925  812 k

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EAT YOUR BROCCOLI--17 Newspaperarchive hits

Fond Du Lac Reporter - 7/7/1976
...Sylvia Mickey. 83. is a hoods. 11 you don't EAT YOUR BROCCOLI, you won't
grow up and have.....parasitic fungus diseases that may invade YOUR tomato
plants. One can protect the.....be wondering why so many apples fall from YOUR
trees in late June and early July..
Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin Wednesday, July 07, 1976  553 k

Lima News - 5/16/1939
...part of the folklore of the country: "EAT YOUR BROCCOLI, dear'.'' "I say
it's.....school children to determine they liked to EAT. And of them like
spinach, .1-1, 000.....while only didn't like it at all. "Fat YOUR BROCCOLI, "I say
it's spinach, and gimme a.....hole cover. HEALTH SERVICE H.V DR. WILLIAM YOUR
qoeiUon to tbi department will b Dr..
Lima, Ohio Tuesday, May 16, 1939  718 k

Chronicle Telegram - 6/11/1996
...pop our gum. We need somebody to tell us to EAT our BROCCOLI. Every bite.
It may not.....coddling kind but the no-mollycoddling, EAT-YOUR-BROCCOLI kind.
She's perfect for the job.....s inadequate book page. I wonder if YOUR book
editor ever reads books. However.....shake them up. She wanted to say, "Forget
YOUR self-esteem What about YOUR Now she can..
Elyria, Ohio Tuesday, June 11, 1996  521 k

Chronicle Telegram - 5/30/2000
...to someone from Washington saying "EAT YOUR BROCCOLI." The
government's.....from a nutrition point of view. People EAT fewer meals at home, and
restaurant meals.....East Avonop, Elyrm Bod CoMy, We'll Deliver YOUR Chronicle On Time
by 5 PJM. Weekdays by..
Elyria, Ohio Tuesday, May 30, 2000  481 k

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EAT YOUR VEGETABLES--124 Newspaperarchive hits

Appleton Post Crescent - 11/26/1930
...to EAT. Do they every say, "I won't EAT my VEGETABLES for No.t they. Show
them some.....now, EAT YOUR No more mEAT until you EAT YOUR VEGETABLES." "I
won't EAT carrots for.....They must be fed, they must be coaxed to EAT. Each
mealtime is a veritable nightmare.....you." "Well, then, EAT them for Daddie.
See, here's 'a nice..
Appleton, Wisconsin Wednesday, November 26, 1930  947 k

Wellsboro Agitator - 9/17/1930
...from YOUR little, back yard; garden.: .EAT YOUR 'VEGETABLES raw as much
:as. possible.....offlcial action regarding her i how to EAT right, and that's
one When Will A 99 You.....and but--' 'dfiticious .hot Use in cooking
VEGETABLES and save It, all. IJse -It 'for.....things we are. doing in order that .you
and YOUR town may derive the benefits to be..
Wellsboro, Pennsylvania Wednesday, September 17, 1930  880 k

Washington Post - 8/10/1904
...Tribune. Never hurry at YOUR meals. EAT YOUR VEGETABLES slowly and enjoy
them.....may yet toe able to keep his promise to EAT his Christmas dinner in.
Tokyo, although.....thing as her age. The only -way you can get YOUR wife to
side with you In an argument is.....a fountain pen, I suppose you never stick
YOUR in the Ink well any more. Editor No: but..
Washington, District Of Columbia   Wednesday, August 10, 1904  1041 k

Appleton Post Crescent - 7/29/1925
...know how to combat them, they are going to EAT YOUR VEGETABLES and you are
not. You have.....stom ach and pains are all gone and I can EAT anything." It
is a simple, harmless.....street on which the accident occurred. Ask YOUR
Grocer for "I X L" COMMISSION USEFUL.....Bugs? Insects take as lively an interest
in YOUR home garden as you do. Unless you..
Appleton, Wisconsin Wednesday, July 29, 1925  839 k

Bridgeport Telegram - 9/14/1921
...will 'be at fam.lno prices this autumn "EAT YOUR VEGETABLES while you may,
for In the.....clubs, October 10 to in, LONDON, Sept. 13. VEGETABLES.....that
should now be yielding the finest VEGETABLES are sight Lettuces have no
hearts.....and fat at lid. a pound. "Those who want VEGETABLES later on will do
well to stocks In..
Bridgeport, Connecticut Wednesday, September 14, 1921  638 k

Progress Review - 6/20/1929
...Is Good Source of Calcium and Iron. DO YOU EAT YOUR VEGETABLES 10NG
COOKING KILLS.....and Undertaking. Ambulance Service. Several VEGETABLES Can Be
Cooked Together Without.....all Ita luscious frullB and tender green VEGETABLES
nod every hometnnker'i thoughts.....cnnnot get n feed too good for clilckH IIH
YOUR egg yield will depend grrnlly on how..
La Porte City, Iowa Thursday, June 20, 1929  415 k

Washington Post - 8/10/1904
...Tribune. Never hurry at YOUR meals. EAT YOUR VEGETABLES slowly and enjoy
them.....may yet toe able to keep his promise to EAT his Christmas dinner in.
Tokyo, although.....thing as her age. The only -way you can get YOUR wife to
side with you In an argument is.....a fountain pen, I suppose you never stick
YOUR in the Ink well any more. apos; Editor..
Washington, District Of Columbia   Wednesday, August 10, 1904  1041 k

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NO DESSERT UNTIL--0 Newspaperarchive hits
NO DESSERT TILL--1 Newspaperarchive hit (from 1985)
CLEAN YOUR PLATE--80 Newspaperarchive hits

Newark Advocate - 6/20/1917
...be in in TTnitod unuea tl-muie.v CLEAN YOUR PLATE. Have you heard what
Hoover says? YOUR.....gravy That's the way to back the navy, Kat YOUR beans, YOUR
tates and samp Don't forget.....for democracy Under the new law many people
YOUR Purse won't pay their bills by check..
Newark, Ohio Wednesday, June 20, 1917  1029 k

Gettysburg Times - 1/16/1929
...tea "I don' t Eat YOUR spinach and CLEAN YOUR .PLATE Speak YOUR piece for
YOUR Auntie.....AGO Local Items. Found: Two upper teeth on PLATE. Call at this
office. Dr. Wm. McClure.....up, he lit his oldest pipe. A new tin PLATE to
take up collection at the Hog Hill.....YOUR worn-out tissues and revitalize YOUR
entire system. YOUR money hack if you..
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Wednesday, January 16, 1929  939 k

Mansfield News - 4/23/1917
...during a quarrel, A Jfow York, April 33. CLEAN YOUR PLATE, is the
admonition appearing.....i Mr. Balfour included are here to wait on YOUR" wishes. We
have made a great many.....wo paid very dearly. We want to pat at YOUR disposal
the record of these mistakes..
Mansfield, Ohio Monday, April 23, 1917  807 k