“If you can read this, I’m not impressed. Most people can read” is a jocular saying that has been printed on many bumper stickers. “If you can read this, you’re too close” or “If you can read this, thank a teacher” are more usual bumper stickers with this “If you can read this…” beginning line.
“If You Can Read This I’m Not Impressed. Most People Can Read” was cited in The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY) on February 1, 2006, where the bumper sticker was credited to Scott Richter of KComposite.com.
1 February 2006, The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY), “The Talented Mr. Richter” by Joshua Hammann, Velocity Weekly, pg. 11, col. 3:
KComposite.com
(Scott—ed.) Ritcher has posted many of his interviews online for your enjoyment. This site also links to his store, where bumper stickers like “Formerly Proud To Be An American” and “If You Can Read This I’m Not Impressed. Most People Can Read” are available for purchase.
Twitter
sarah
@sarah_y
We just saw a bumper sticker that said, “If you can read this… I’m not impressed. Most people can read.” Oh you clever people.
12:53 PM - 17 Jan 2009
Twitter
Rebecca Moss
@bexmoss
If you can read this…i’m not impressed. Most people can read.
2:08 PM - 29 Jun 2009
25 May 2012, The Advertiser (Adelaide, Australia), “Mouthing Off” by Marty Smith, pg. 24:
“If you can read this I’m not impressed. Most people can read.” - bumper sticker.
Twitter
MINI Downtown
@MINIDowntown
It’s #MINIbumperstickers Monday! Today’s bumper sticker quote is “IF YOU CAN READ THIS I’M NOT IMPRESSED, MOST PEOPLE CAN READ”
11:31 AM - 25 Feb 2013
25 May 2015, The Advertiser (Adelaide, Australia), “The Last Word” by Marty Smith, pg. 18:
INSIGHT “If you can read this I’m not impressed. Most people can read.” - bumper sticker.
Twitter
Baloo
@ZeBaloo
If you can read this, I’m not impressed. A lot of people can read. #BumperSticker
5:26 PM - 21 Oct 2016
Twitter
MadeunderPressure
@MAD3_pressure
If you can read this I’m not impressed. Most people can read.
5:18 PM - 10 May 2018
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
Recent entries:
•“Unless you’re music, I don’t want to listen to you in the morning” (5/8)
•“Took my own lunch to work and didn’t buy a coffee today so I should be able to afford to buy a house any day now” (5/8)
•“Unless you’re music, I don’t wanna listen to you in the morning” (5/8)
•Entry in progress—BP24 (5/8)
•Entry in progress—BP23 (5/8)
More new entries...
Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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