Eat Off (1948?); Offer you can't refuse; New Yorker

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EAT OFF
    
EAT OFF + CONTEST--827 Google hits, 159 Google Group hits
 
   I've done the Pillsbury "bake off" and "cook off" and "rib off" (a 
ripoff), but not "eat off."
   See the 1948 "clam off" "eat off" in Seattle.  Did they really call it 
that in 1948--before the Pillsbury "bake off" even began?  Is there a good way to 
verify what they called in in 1948?
 
    
(GOOGLE NEWS)
Posted on Sat, Jul. 03, 2004    
Sideshow, sport or stunt? Competitive eating goes big time

By PAULINE ARRILLAGA
The Associated Press
(...)
In 1997, Nathan’s launched eat-offs in several U.S. cities to lure America’s 
top gurgitators to the table on Independence Day. But it occurred to the 
Sheas and their cabernet-quaffing friends: Why limit this endeavor to Nathan’s? To 
New York? Indeed, to hot dogs?  
      
  
(GOOGLE)
http://www.ivars.net/Timeline_Home/1948.html
East vs. West and Acres of Clams...The first clam eating contest was held at 
(where else?) Pier 54. The winner was Richard Watson, a Seattle cabdriver, who 
gulped down 110 clams in 10 minutes and became the first ever IPFSACECA (The 
International Pacific Free Style Amateur Clam Eating Contest Association) 
World Champion Clam Eater. No sooner had Watson been crowned world champ than 
someone yelled "FOUL!" Ivar was shocked. "Who could possibly impugn the integrity 
of the IPFSACECA? We've only had one contest," he said, "and besides we make 
up our own rules." The grievance came from Massachusetts, of all places, and 
came from a truck driver named Joe Silva. "Your boy," Joe claimed, "cannot 
possibly be the Clam Eating Champion of the world until he defends his title 
against the East Coast Champion, namely me."Ivar carefully considered the situation. 
Two clam eating champions? Competing in Seattle for the world title? This was 
too good to be true. After deliberating for a good two or three seconds, he 
accepted the challenge. The stage was set for the great East versus West Clam 
Eat Off of 1948. The great East vs. West Clam Eat Off of 1948 ended in victory 
for Seattle cabdriver RIchard Watson. He is shown above receiving the coveted 
title crown from Ivar and congratulations from East Coast challenger Joe 
Silva.
    

(GOOGLE GROUPS)
Japan's top glutton squared off against the world hot dog eating ... 
... George Shea, a promoter for Nathan's Famous, the restaurant that 
sponsored the contest. ... record,
which he set July 4 at Nathan's annual Coney Island eat-off. ... 
alt.gossip.royalty - Dec 5, 1996 by patdwfsyte at aol.com - View Thread (1 
article)
 
REPOST: The big eat-off
... What it appears that your knowledgable news sources have overlooked
is the famous pie-eating contest between Nell and Oprah Winfrey. ... 
alt.tasteless - Sep 10, 1994 by Mike Weber - View Thread (2 articles)
   
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MAKE YOU AN OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE
  
   This is from Marlon Brando in THE GODFATHER, of course.  Before that, it 
appears that it had some currency with used car salesmen.
   
   
(WWW.NEWSPAPERARCHIVE.COM)
   Atchison Daily Globe     Friday, March 15, 1957 Atchison, Kansas     
...USED CARS We'll Make YOU An OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE. Be Our Guest Come In 
Or.....2 1949 HUDSON 4-Dr. Sedan Make An OFFER EKL AUTO CO. 216 Com'l. Phone 
3123..
    
   Atchison Daily Globe     Sunday, March 17, 1957 Atchison, Kansas     
...USED CARS We'll Make YOU An OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE. Be Our Guest Come In 
Or.....Chicks are roven winners. YOU can save 25% cost with Personal Choice..
    
   Atchison Daily Globe     Friday, March 15, 1957 Atchison, Kansas     
...USED CARS We'll Make YOU An OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE. Be Our Guest Come In 
Or.....2 1949 HUDSON 4-Dr. Sedan Make An OFFER EKL AUTO CO. 216 Com'l. Phone 
3123..
    
 Bridgeport Telegram    Saturday, June 11, 1927 Bridgeport, Connecticut     
...for themselves. HERE IS AN OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE TERMS Jl 50 WEEKLY OI-KN 
A.....SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1927 II: I, TWO OFFER Only One Teacher on Staff of..
    
 Bridgeport Telegram    Saturday, June 04, 1927 Bridgeport, Connecticut     
...for themselves. HERE IS AN OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE OPEN MONDAY AND 
SATURDAY.....4160 "A Real Nature Last" "A Shoe YOU Can Wear Without Breaking In" 
"BASS..
  
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NEW YORKER
  
   Today's FYI section of the NEW YORK TIMES repeats the myth that George 
Washington was the first person to use "New Yorker."  I debunked this many years 
ago, right here.
   The TIMES is serious about accuracy and will correct this right away.