“I’m not fat—I’m just big boned”

“I’m not fat—I’m just big boned” is a jocular saying that has een printed on posters. “I am not fat, just tall and big boned” was cited in print in 1945.  “I’m not fat—I’m big-boned. Besides, I’m glandular”—clearly, a jocular use—was cited in print in 1967.
 
Similar sayings include “I’m not fat—just short for my weight,”  “I’m not overweight—I’m undertall,” “I’m not fat—I’m flooded,” “I’m not fat—I’m fluffy,” “I’m not fat—I’m insulated,” “I’m not fat—I’m just easy to see,” “I’m not fat—I’m just well-marbled,” “I’m not fat—I’m cultivating mass,” “I’m not fat—I’m just so sexy, it overflows” and “I’m not fat—my stomach is just in 3D.”
   
 
18 February 1945, Richmond (VA) Times-Dispatch, “Style Questions and Answers” by Joan Gardner, pg. 9-C, col. 2:
Dear Miss Gardner:
I am only 18, but I take a size 20 dress. I am not fat, just tall and big boned.
 
25 February 1967, Record American (Boston, MA), “Assignment: America: 500,000 Shed Pounds” by Phyllis Battelle, pg. 25, col. 1:
NEW YORK—“I’m not fat—I’m big-boned. Besides, I’m glandular,” Jean Nidetch used to say. That was five years and 72 superfluous pounds ago.
 
OCLC WorldCat record
My cat’s not fat, he’s just big-boned
Author: Nicole Hollander
Publisher: Naperville, IL : Hysteria, ©1998.
Edition/Format:   Book : English
Database: WorldCat
Summary: A collection of black-and-white cat cartoons by Nicole Hollander.
 
Urban Dictionary
big boned
A nice way of saying one is fat, built in an odd way, or a giant.
“Am I fat Mommy?”
“No of course not sweetie, your just big boned…”
by Sibyl Vane May 27, 2004
 
OCLC WorldCat record
I’m Not Fat, I’m Just Big Boned and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves Overcoming a Lifelong Battle With Obesity.
Author: Remauro, Leticia
Publisher: Iuniverse Inc 2011.
Edition/Format:   Book : English
 
YouTube
June 23, 2013
Cartman - I’m not fat i’m big boned
ClipsMixCom