“Taste makes waist”
“Taste makes waist” is a food pun on the old proverb of “haste makes waste.” Food with too much taste results in overeating and a bigger waist.
The saying “taste makes waist” has been cited in print since at least 1905.
Wikipedia: Anti-proverb
An anti-proverb is the transformation of a standard proverb for humorous effect. Mieder defines them as “parodied, twisted, or fractured proverbs that reveal humorous or satirical speech play with traditional proverbial wisdom”. To have full effect, an anti-proverb must be based on a known proverb. For example, “If at first you don’t succeed, quit” is only funny if the hearer knows the standard proverb “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” Anti-proverbs are used commonly in advertising. Anti-proverbs are also common on T-shirts, such as “Taste makes waist” and “If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you”.
Papers Past
13 June 1905, Bush Advocate (New Zealand), “Feminine Philosophy,” pg. 6:
Haste makes waste, but taste makes waist too.
30 September 1909, The Evening Press (Grand Rapids, MI), pg. 4, col. 4:
Proverbs—Revised Edition.
Taste makes waste.
Google News Archive
6 January 1910, Ludington (MI) Record-Appeal, pg. 8, col. 3:
Proverbs—Revised Version
Taste makes waist.
Google News Archive
29 September 1914, Lawrence (KS) Daily Journal-World, pg. 8, col. 5 ad:
“TASTE MAKES WASTE”
TIGHTISH waist and bulging chest is this new Fall season’s clothes-departure. Shapeliness of figure is Fashion’s demand of all men.
(M. J. Skofstad—ed.)
Google Books
The Sourcebook of Humor
By James C. Hefley
Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Pub. House
1968
Pg. 61:
Dieter’s reminder: Taste Makes Waist.
Google Books
Living Nutrition (2nd edition)
By Fredrick J. Stare and Margaret McWilliams
New York, NY: Wiley
1977
Pg. 106:
The small act of putting a sign on the refrigerator stating “Taste makes waist” is sufficient to help halt the nibbling dieter who really wants to lose weight.
OCLC WorldCat record
Garfield and friends [Episodes 73-80]
Author: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Inc.
Publisher: Beverly Hills, CA : Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, 2005.
Series: Garfield.
Edition/Format: DVD video : Animation : English
Summary: Episodes 73-80 of the animated Saturday morning TV series starring that fat and sassy feline who lives for lasagna and can’t stand diets, exercise and Mondays!
Contents:
The great inventor. [Disc 1:Episode 76] Taste makes waist
(Trademark)
Word Mark TASTE MAKES WAIST
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 025. US 022 039. G & S: T-shirts and sweatshirts
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 75268913
Filing Date April 3, 1997
Current Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition January 27, 1998
Owner (APPLICANT) Charles E. Cohen Associates, Inc. CORPORATION NEW JERSEY 777 Passaic Avenue, 4th Floor Clifton NEW JERSEY 07012
Attorney of Record JAN CHRISTENSEN
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Abandonment Date October 22, 1998