Cities Quote by David Letterman
“Someone did a study of the three most-often-heard phrases in New York City. One is "Hey taxi." Two is "What train do I take to get to Bloomingdales?" And three is "Don't worry, it's only a flesh wound.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Late Night with David Letterman, 1995
A humorous study of common NYC phrases shows how everyday language reflects local culture and humor.
In simple terms: NYC slang reveals city life and jokes.
Key Takeaway
Observe and appreciate local vernacular.
Themes
culture
language
humor
urban life
communication
Mood
lighthearted
observational
Type
sociocultural
entertaining
When to use this quote
- travel
- city tours
- language learning
- comedy writing
Key Concepts
sociolinguistics
regional dialects
social observation
Questions to Reflect On
- What does each phrase say about city residents?
- How does humor shape our perception of place?
A Different Perspective
Humor can oversimplify complex urban experiences.
![“Harvey [Weinstein] didn't want to release [MY SON THE FANATIC]; he held it for two years because he wanted a happy ending, although I don't know what that means. Does that mean the taxi driver leaves his wife or doesn't leave his wife? I think it has a happy ending.” quote by Hanif Kureishi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/434/hanif-kureishi-3233_crafts_harvey-weinstein-didn-t-want-to-release_17929.jpg)
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
