“My idea of exercise is a good brisk sit”

A good brisk walk is often a recommended form of exercise. ““My idea of exercise is a good brisk sit” is a popular joke that has been told by several people. “His favorite recreation is a nice brisk sit in an upholstered chair” was said in 1947 about American film director Albert Lewin (1894-1968). “He says his favorite exercise is ‘a brisk sit in a chair’” was written in 1963 about Czech author Joseph Wechsberg (1907-1983)
 
The joke is most frequently associated with American stand-up comedienne Phyllis Diller (1917-2012). “You’ll even have time for Phyllis Diller’s favorite exercise: a good, brisk sit!” was cited in 1986. “‘My idea of exercise is a brisk sit,” she says” was cited in 1988.
 
   
Wikipedia: Phyllis Diller
Phyllis Ada Driver (July 17, 1917 – August 20, 2012), better known as Phyllis Diller, was an American stand-up comedienne, actress, singer, dancer, and voice artist, best known for her eccentric stage persona, her self-deprecating humor, her wild hair and clothes, and her exaggerated, cackling laugh.
   
Google Books
‘47
Volume 1  
1947  
Pg. 150:
His favorite recreation is a nice brisk sit in an upholstered chair.
(American film director Albert Lewin, 1894-1968.—ed.)
 
Google Books
Celebrity Register;
An Irreverent Compendium of American Quotable Notables
New York, NY: Harper & Row
1963
Pg. 646:
Married to Jo-Ann Novak (one daughter), he says his favorite exercise is “a brisk sit in a chair.”
(Czech author Joseph Wechsberg, 1907-1983.—ed.)
 
22 December 1984, Joplin (MO) Globe “Scram-Lets Answers,” pg. 10B, col. 5:
“You look very trim and fit. Do you exercise?” asked one woman. “No way,” was the reply. “My idea of exercise is a good BRISK SIT.”
 
Google Books
Escape from the Kitchen
By Deniece Schofield
Cincinnati, OH: Writer’s Digest Books
1986
Pg. 36:
Once your centers are physically fit there’ll be plenty of time for your own fitness program. You’ll even have time for Phyllis Diller’s favorite exercise: a good, brisk sit!
 
Google News Archive
23 July 1988, The Telegraph (Nashua, NH), “Phyllis Diller: Sex gets better after reaching 70” by Mandy Behbehani (San Francisco Examiner), pg. 15, col. 6:
The comedian hates formal exercise and refuses to do it. “My idea of exercise is a brisk sit,” she says.
 
Google News Archive
23 February 1991, Milwaukee (WI) Sentinel, “His ship came in, at wrong pier” by Alex Thien, pt. 3, pg. 1, col. 4:
LOUISE O’BRIEN was on a bus when she heard the lady in front of her say, “My idea of exercise is a good, brisk sit.”
 
Twitter
Nighoula Balkind
‏@robotnic
“My idea of exercise is a good, brisk sit.”
— Phyllis Diller
My kind of lady. May she be long remembered.
2:28 PM - 20 Aug 2012
 
Google Books
Biteback Dictionary of Humorous Sporting Quotations
By Fred Metcalf
London: Biteback Publishing Ltd.
2013
Pg. ?:
My idea of exercise is a good brisk sit.
Phyllis Diller, comedienne