“Knowledge is like underwear—have it, but don’t show it off”

“Knowledge is like underwear. It is useful to have it, but not necessary to show it off” is a jocular line that has been printed on many images. “Knowledge is like underwear. Everyone should have it, but there’s no need to show it off” was cited on Twitter on May 26, 2009. “Knowledge is like underwear. It is useful to have it, but not necessary to show it off” was cited on Twitter on June 23, 2012. The original authorship is unknown.
       
“Intelligence is like underwear—have it, but don’t show it off” is an earlier version (from 1997) of the saying.
 
 
Twitter
♥♓SeXeeVee♓♥™
‏@SeXeeVee
Knowledge is like underwear. Everyone should have it, but there’s no need
to show it off.
9:45 AM - 26 May 2009
 
Twitter
Derek Hall
‏@white_canvas
Knowledge is like underwear. Everyone should have it, but there’s no need
to show it off. ~ (via @LuckyLobos) #fb
3:22 AM - 6 Aug 2009
 
Twitter
muhammad faiz
‏@genicy
knowledge is like underwear. everyone should have it, but there’s no need to show it off
6:03 AM - 31 Jan 2010
 
Twitter
Annas Mohd Nasir
‏@cryogenicfrost
Knowledge is like underwear. We all should have it, but we never show it off. :D
8:51 PM - 16 Aug 2010
 
Twitter
Nicky Gumbel
‏@nickygumbel
Knowledge is like underwear. It is useful to have it, but not necessary to show it off.
10:25 AM - 23 Jun 2012
 
Google Books
The Brain Box:
The Essential Guide to Success at School

By David Hodgson and Tim Benton
New York, NY: Crown House Publishing
2014
Pg. ?:
Remember: knowledge is like underwear – it’s useful to have it, but you don’t necessarily need to show it off!
 
Funny Status
Knowledge is like underwear. It is useful to have…
July 10, 2014
Knowledge is like underwear. It is useful to have it, but not necessary to show it off.
     
Chicago (IL) Tribune
JULY 8, 2015, 10:50 AM
Tweet of the Week survey—click here!
By Eric Zorn
Tweet of the week poll (click on each one you like)
 
Knowledge is like underwear. It is useful to have it, but it’s not necessary to show it off. ….@SwedishCanary