--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Dean Martin's great-great-uncle, Ebenezer…" description: "\"Dean Martin's great-great-uncle, Ebenezer Martin, who said to Eli Whitney, I see the cotton, but where's the gin? Never got a dinner!\" — Red Buttons" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d81/red-buttons-6786_cotton_dean-martin-s-great-great-uncle-ebenezer_3143922.jpg" --- # Dean Martin's great-great-uncle, Ebenezer Martin, who said… ![“Dean Martin's great-great-uncle, Ebenezer Martin, who said to Eli Whitney, I see the cotton, but where's the gin? Never got a dinner!” quote by Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d81/red-buttons-6786_cotton_dean-martin-s-great-great-uncle-ebenezer_3143922.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d81/red-buttons-6786_cotton_dean-martin-s-great-great-uncle-ebenezer_3143922.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d81/red-buttons-6786_cotton_dean-martin-s-great-great-uncle-ebenezer_3143922.jpg) > “Dean Martin's great-great-uncle, Ebenezer Martin, who said to Eli Whitney, I see the cotton, but where's the gin? Never got a dinner!” [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A humorous anecdote about missing opportunity due to lack of resources or timing. **In simple terms:** Missing chance because of missing tools. Key Takeaway Ensure you have the right tools before acting. Themes humor missed opportunity resourcefulness Mood lighthearted reflective Type anecdotal humorous When to use this quote - business planning - project management - personal goals - team coordination Key Concepts timing resource allocation communication Questions to Reflect On - Are you overlooking essential resources? - How can you anticipate missing tools? A Different Perspective Humor can mask deeper systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cotton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cotton/) [Cotton Gin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cotton-gin-2348910/) [Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dean/) [Dean martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dean-martin/) [Dinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dinner/) [Ebenezer Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ebenezer-martin-5614772/) [Eli Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eli-whitney-228084/) [Gin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gin/) [Great Uncle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-uncle-1359317/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Uncle Ebenezer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncle-ebenezer-5614773/) [Uncles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncles/) [Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whitney/) ## Related quotes > [Of all the tall tales, I think my favorite is the one about Eli Whitney and the interchangeable parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/of-all-the-tall-tales-i-think-my-favorite-is-the-one-about-eli/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [Some colored people so scared of whitefolks they claim to love the cotton gin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/some-colored-people-so-scared-of-whitefolks-they-claim-to-love-the/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [I never thought my cotton gin would change history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-whitney/i-never-thought-my-cotton-gin-would-change-history/) [Eli Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-whitney/) > [Dean Martin's pancreas, who overheard his liver singing I got a right to sing the blues. Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/dean-martin-s-pancreas-who-overheard-his-liver-singing-i-got-a-right/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [When people ask me if Dean Martin drank, let me put it this way. If Dracula bit Dean in the neck, he'd get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/when-people-ask-me-if-dean-martin-drank-let-me-put-it-this-way-if/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [My great-great-great uncle - or maybe it's only two 'greats' - crossbred the first Aberdeen Angus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-lumley/my-great-great-great-uncle-or-maybe-it-s-only-two-greats-crossbred/) [Joanna Lumley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-lumley/) > [I come from a stupid family. During the civil war my great uncle fought for the west.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/i-come-from-a-stupid-family-during-the-civil-war-my-great-uncle/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [“Everyone knew that Jim's creative coup d'etat came from a suggestion from his great-uncle Max, who lived on a farm in Iowa. According to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-ferris/everyone-knew-that-jim-s-creative-coup-d-etat-came-from-a-suggestion/) [Joshua Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-ferris/) > [“Sir Henry fixed him with a keen eye. 'Odd name, Tom Skatt - eh?' 'Thats right' 'You don't think we could be related?' Tom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-chancellor/sir-henry-fixed-him-with-a-keen-eye-odd-name-tom-skatt-eh-thats-right/) [Henry Chancellor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-chancellor/) > [I lost a great uncle in World War II who was with the Royal Canadian Air Force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-tapper/i-lost-a-great-uncle-in-world-war-ii-who-was-with-the-royal-canadian/) [Jake Tapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-tapper/) > [My great uncle fought in WWI. His stories fascinated me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-todd/my-great-uncle-fought-in-wwi-his-stories-fascinated-me/) [Charles Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-todd/) > [“Honorius Hatchard had been old Miss Hatchard's great-uncle; though she would undoubtedly have reversed the phrase, and put forward, as her only claim to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-wharton/honorius-hatchard-had-been-old-miss-hatchard-s-great-uncle-though-she/) [Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-wharton/) > [“a mammy’s boy who never married and who keeps a shotgun in case of trespassers, but loves his trees, loves his woodland, and honors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edna-o-brien/a-mammy-s-boy-who-never-married-and-who-keeps-a-shotgun-in-case-of/) [Edna O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edna-o-brien/) > [My grandparents were from Kentucky - I'm related to Daniel Boone. He was my great-great-great uncle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-hopper/my-grandparents-were-from-kentucky-i-m-related-to-daniel-boone-he-was/) [Dennis Hopper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-hopper/) > [“In this little booklet, which had belonged to a maternal great-uncle of ... mine, who spent some time working as an office clerk in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-g-sebald-2/in-this-little-booklet-which-had-belonged-to-a-maternal-great-uncle/) [W.G. Sebald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-g-sebald-2/) ## More by Red Buttons > [Sonny Von Bulow, who said to her husband Claus on their honeymoon, Stop needling me. Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/sonny-von-bulow-who-said-to-her-husband-claus-on-their-honeymoon-stop/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [Moshe Dayan, who donated his eye to CBS. Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/moshe-dayan-who-donated-his-eye-to-cbs-never-got-a-dinner/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [Dolly Parton, who said to her doctor, Are you sure it's a chest cold? Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/dolly-parton-who-said-to-her-doctor-are-you-sure-it-s-a-chest-cold/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [If I lose show business - I'll really be an orphan!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/if-i-lose-show-business-i-ll-really-be-an-orphan/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [Adam, who said to our Lord in the Garden of Eden, I got more ribs - you got more broads? Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/adam-who-said-to-our-lord-in-the-garden-of-eden-i-got-more-ribs-you/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [Joe Torre, who switched to first base because he didn't want to go through life as Chicken Catcher Torre. Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/joe-torre-who-switched-to-first-base-because-he-didn-t-want-to-go/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [Eve said to the serpent, “You know I could go for a bite to eat, but I don't know you from Adam.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/eve-said-to-the-serpent-you-know-i-could-go-for-a-bite-to-eat-but-i/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [E.T., who said to Phyllis Diller, You look weird. Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/e-t-who-said-to-phyllis-diller-you-look-weird-never-got-a-dinner/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [Never raise your hand to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/never-raise-your-hand-to-your-kids-it-leaves-your-groin-unprotected/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [Goliath's mother, who said to Goliath, Stop running around with David! You're always coming home stoned! Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/goliath-s-mother-who-said-to-goliath-stop-running-around-with-david/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [Simon Peter, who embarrassed the other disciples at the Last Supper by asking for seconds. Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/simon-peter-who-embarrassed-the-other-disciples-at-the-last-supper-by/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [Jacques Cousteau, the last man to see Jimmy Hoffa. Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/jacques-cousteau-the-last-man-to-see-jimmy-hoffa-never-got-a-dinner/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [Amelia Earhart, who said, Stop looking for me; see if you can find my luggage! Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/amelia-earhart-who-said-stop-looking-for-me-see-if-you-can-find-my/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [Helen of Troy, a hooker from Upstate New York. Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/helen-of-troy-a-hooker-from-upstate-new-york-never-got-a-dinner/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [Steven Spielberg's mother, who said to E.T., I don't care where you're from, you're here and you're gonna get bar mitzvahed! Never got a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/steven-spielberg-s-mother-who-said-to-e-t-i-don-t-care-where-you-re/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) [Explore all 97 Red Buttons quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) ## More Cotton quotes > [My problems are sort of more on a nuisance level. I can't stand scratchy clothes, I've got to have soft kinds of cotton against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/my-problems-are-sort-of-more-on-a-nuisance-level-i-can-t-stand/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [ Senator \[Tom\] Cotton has campaigned on wanting to kill Obamacare. He voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act back in January, but he now… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/senator-tom-cotton-has-campaigned-on-wanting-to-kill-obamacare-he/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [Summer time an' the livin' is easy, Fish are jumpin' an' the cotton is high. Oh, yo' daddy's rich, and yo' ma' is good-lookin',…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ira-gershwin/summer-time-an-the-livin-is-easy-fish-are-jumpin-an-the-cotton-is/) [Ira Gershwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ira-gershwin/) > [ \[Tom Cotton\] has been an absolute champion of the idea of getting rid of Obamacare, scrapping the Affordable Care Act. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/tom-cotton-has-been-an-absolute-champion-of-the-idea-of-getting-rid/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [I have visited sweatshops, factories, and crowded slums. If I could not see it, I could smell it. The foundation of society is laid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/i-have-visited-sweatshops-factories-and-crowded-slums-if-i-could-not/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [It will be hard James but you come from sturdy peasant stock men who picked cotton and dammed rivers and built railroads and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-will-be-hard-james-but-you-come-from-sturdy-peasant-stock-men-who/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The peace we seek, founded upon decent trust and cooperation among nations, can be fortified not by weapons of war but by wheat and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/the-peace-we-seek-founded-upon-decent-trust-and-cooperation-among/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [“I feel like cotton candy: sugar and air. Squeeze me and I’d turn into a small sickly damp wad of weeping pinky-red. “I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/i-feel-like-cotton-candy-sugar-and-air-squeeze-me-and-i-d-turn-into-a/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [For every nineteenth-century middle-class family that protected its wife and child within the family circle, there was an Irish ora German girl scrubbing floors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-coontz/for-every-nineteenth-century-middle-class-family-that-protected-its/) [Stephanie Coontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-coontz/) > [We are constituted a good deal like chickens, which, taken from the hen, and put in a basket of cotton in the chimney-corner, willoften…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/we-are-constituted-a-good-deal-like-chickens-which-taken-from-the-hen/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I was influenced a lot by those around me - there was a lot of singing that went on in the cotton fields.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-nelson/i-was-influenced-a-lot-by-those-around-me-there-was-a-lot-of-singing/) [Willie Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-nelson/) > [Thank God I have the seeing eye, that is to say, as I lie in bed I can walk step by step on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beatrix-potter/thank-god-i-have-the-seeing-eye-that-is-to-say-as-i-lie-in-bed-i-can/) [Beatrix Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beatrix-potter/) > [We picked their cotton. We cooked their food. We nursed their babies. Now we can run their cities. We can run their states. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/we-picked-their-cotton-we-cooked-their-food-we-nursed-their-babies/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [I think 20 years of experience really came to fruition and enabled me to be able to play Cotton Marcus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-fabian/i-think-20-years-of-experience-really-came-to-fruition-and-enabled-me/) [Patrick Fabian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-fabian/) > [At the age of five years to enter a spinning-cotton or other factory, and from that time forth to sit there daily, first ten,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-schopenhauer/at-the-age-of-five-years-to-enter-a-spinning-cotton-or-other-factory/) [Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schopenhauer/) [Browse all 329 Cotton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cotton/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Dean Martin's great-great-uncle, Ebenezer Martin, who said to Eli Whitney, I see the cotton, but where's the gin? 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