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Who said these words, "First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you"?

Question #111250. Asked by serpa.

gonnzo
Answer has 3 votes
gonnzo
17 year member
766 replies

Answer has 3 votes.

Dec 05 2009, 12:04 AM
darkpresence
Answer has 6 votes
Currently Best Answer
darkpresence
18 year member
264 replies

Answer has 6 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
It appears to be an old proverb from Japan or China (depending on who you read)
"Wikipedia: Edward Rowland Sill
Edward Rowland Sill (April 29, 1841 - February 27, 1887), American poet and educator, was born in Windsor, Connecticut.

25 May 1886, Chicago (IL) Daily Tribune, pg. 4:
"At the punch bowl's brink,
Let the thirsty think,
What they say in Japan:
First the man takes a drink,
Then the drink takes a drink,
Then the drink takes the man."
EDWARD R. SILL "
link http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/a_man_takes_a_drinkthen_the_drink_takes_the_man/
link http://www.searchquotes.com/quotation/First_the_man_takes_a_drink%3B_then_the_drink_takes_a_drink%3B_then_the_drink_takes_the_man./21025/
I've also seen it attributed to Sinclair Lewis. It's a hard one to pin down.

Sep 17 2011, 11:19 AM
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