"Will it play in Peoria?"

[Jonathan Lighter]

A hearty thank you, Ben and Doug !

The phrase  must be considerably older in showbiz.  Berrey & Van Den Bark (1942) don't list this phrase, but they do offer "Peoria" as synonymous with "An imaginary [sic] 'hick' town."

JL

"Douglas G. Wilson" <douglas at NB.NET> wrote:
---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
Sender: American Dialect Society
Poster: "Douglas G. Wilson"
Subject: Re: "Will it play in Peoria?"
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>From ProQuest:

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_New York Times_, 3 Aug. 1969: p. SM6:

["Nixon's Inner Circle Meets"]

<had aroused criticism in Washington, Ehrlichman replied crisply: "Don't
worry. It'll play in Peoria.">>

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-- Doug Wilson


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