"If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it." (1920)

[Bapopik at AOL.COM]

This quote appears in the Sunday New York Times, City Section, 16 April
2006, FYI, pg. 2. It was asked if Mayor Bloomberg originated: "If you want
something done, ask a busy person to do it."
...
It's said that this is "most commonly attributed to Lucille Ball
(1911-1989)." It is then provided that William Hazlitt (1778-1830) said: "The  more we
do, the more we can do; the more busy we are the more leisure we  have."
...
Why doesn't the New York Times consult us? I live here! I work for free!
Hello?
...
I've discussed this phrase before. It appears to have been common by at
least 1920. Lucille Ball didn't coin it or popularize it, and Bloomberg didn't,
either.
...
...
...
...
_WHY  I LOVE THE COUNTRY._
(http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=786870372&SrchMode=1&sid=3&Fmt=10&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=114516654
5&clientId=65882)
Mrs M A R. Indiana Farmer's Guide (1918-1922). Huntington: Sep 18, 1920.
Vol. 32, Iss. 38; p. 20 (1 page)
...
It has been said: "If you want something done give it to a busy man to  do."
...
...
1 October 1924, Olean (NY) Evening Herald, pg. 8, col. 1:
Closely related to the typewriter slogan is the adage, "If you want
something done go to a busy man."
...
...
     _Woodland Daily Democrat_
(http://www.newspaperarchive.com/Viewer.aspx?img=n9tPhCVbEnaKID/6NLMW2r2FpAYFQeEJMSxPT3PSkfS1QojtwzaL6kIF+CsZYmrz)
_Thursday,  December 03, 1925_
(http://www.newspaperarchive.com/Search.aspx?Search="if+you+want+something+done"+AND+date:1925-12-03)  _Woodland,_
(http://www.newspaperarchive.com/Search.aspx?Search="if+you+want+something+done"+AND+cityid:33462
+AND+stateid:14+AND+range:1759-1946)   _California_
(http://www.newspaperarchive.com/Search.aspx?Search="if+you+want+something+done"+AND+stateid:14+AND+rang
e:1759-1946)   ...Among the  most frequent is, "IF YOU WANT SOMETHING  DONE
take it to the'busy man." A ... ..
...
...
_GRIFFITH  IS ACTIVE IN A BROAD FIELD_
(http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=1&did=225042882&SrchMode=1&sid=3&Fmt=10&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&
TS=1145166600&clientId=65882)
The Washington Post  (1877-1954). Washington, D.C.: Apr 28, 1928. p. 5 (1
page)
...
It is sometimes said: "If you want something done, ask a busy man."
...
...
_BRAINERD  WOMEN PLAN TO OFFER HOBBY DISPLAY; Pitchers, Maps, Silver to Be
Shown. _
(http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=2&did=494933602&SrchMode=1&sid=3&Fmt=10&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1145166668&clientId=65882)
Chicago Daily Tribune (1872-1963). Chicago,  Ill.: Mar 3, 1940. p. SW3 (1
page)
...
It is an old belief that if you want something done promptly and correctly,
you should ask a very busy person to do it.
...
...
_MRS.  REINECKE BUSY, TIRELESS AND FEMININE; G.O.P. Clerk Candidate Glad of
Chance _
(http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=22&did=499957082&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=10&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1145166452&clientId=65882)
RITA FITZPATRICK. Chicago  Daily Tribune (1872-1963). Chicago, Ill.: Oct 10,
1948. p. 5 (1 page)
...
The old saying, "If you want something done, just give it to a busy  person,"
is definitely true in the case of Miss Blanche Barbara  Kirian,...

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org