“The sea was angry that day, my friends, like an old man trying to return soup at a deli”

“The sea was angry that day, my friends, like an old man trying to return soup at a deli” is a jocular line of mock literature from the New York City-based television sitcom Seinfeld, on the episode “The Marine Biologist” that was written by Ron Hauge and Charlie Rubin, and that originally aired on February 10, 1994. George Costanza (played by actor Jason Alexander) tells a story of how he became a marine biologist:
   
Kramer: Come on George, finish the story.
George: The sea was angry that day my friends, like an old man trying to return soup at a deli!
 
An old man at a deli might be angry that his soup is too hot or too cold. Jewish comedians such as Myron Cohen told many jokes about delis, but the Seinfeld line refers to no joke in particular.
 
     
Wikipedia: The Marine Biologist
“The Marine Biologist” is the 78th episode of the American sitcom Seinfeld. It is the 14th episode of the fifth season. It was originally broadcast on NBC on February 10, 1994. Jerry Seinfeld considers the episode to be one of his favorites.
(...)
Directed by Tom Cherones
Written by Ron Hauge & Charlie Rubin
   
Seinfeld Scripts
The Marine Biologist
Episode #78
Originally Aired: Wednesday, February 10, 1994, 9:30
(...)
George: So I started to walk into the water. I won’t lie to you boys, I was terrified! But I pressed on and as I made my way passed the breakers a strange calm came over me. I don’t know if it was divine intervention or the kinship of all living things but I tell you Jerry at that moment I was a marine biologist!
 
(Elaine enters and sits down)
 
Elaine: George I was just reading this thing in the papers, it’s amazing!
 
George: I know I was just telling them the story.
 
Kramer: Come on George, finish the story.
 
George: The sea was angry that day my friends, like an old man trying to return soup at a deli!
 
Twitter
Seinfeld Tweets
@hellooooonewman
The sea was angry that day, my friends, like an old man trying to return soup at a deli!
7:19 PM · Nov 27, 2011·18data custom
 
Twitter
Eric Fisher
@ericfisher
New England’s surf will peak Monday and Tuesday. Angry, like an old man trying to return soup at a deli.
10:28 PM · Sep 1, 2016·Twitter Web Client
 
Twitter
Alex Liggitt
@ABC7Alex
“The sea was angry that day my friend… Like an old man trying to return soup at a deli.” - Costanza
7:29 AM · Oct 27, 2018·Twitter Web Client
     
Twitter
Patrick Saunders
@psaundersdp
#Rockies Twitter nation is angry tonight, my friends—like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli.
1:02 AM · Jul 16, 2019·TweetDeck
 
Twitter
Anita Paris
@Firstborn49
The sea was angry that day my friends, like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli. #putinbay #FallBall #rainyday
8:46 AM · Oct 6, 2019·Twitter for iPhone