“Hard work pays off in the future; laziness pays off now” is a popular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as posters and T-shirts. The Blondie comic strip, on July 2, 1994, showed Dagwood Bumstead avoiding his chores. Blondie Bumstead said, “Remember, hard work pays off in the end.” Dagwood replied, “It’s true what she says. But laziness pays of right now!”
“Hard work has a future payoff. Laziness pays off NOW!” became a bumper sticker saying by at least December 1996.
2 July 1994, Aiken (SC) Standard, “Blondie” comic strip, pg. 4B, col. 1:
Panel One:
Wife (Blondie): HONEY, THE YARD NEEDS A LOT OF WORK
Panel Two:
Wife (Blondie): REMEMBER, HARD WORK PAYS OF IN THE END
Panel Three:
Husband (Dagwood): IT’S TRUE WHAT SHE SAYS
Panel Four:
Husband (Dagwood): BUT LAZINESS PAYS OFF RIGHT NOW!
24 December 1996, Titusville (PA) Herald, “Simon Says” by Roger Simon, pg. 4, col. 5:
BEST OF THE BUMPER STICKERS
(...)
“Hard work has a future payoff. Laziness pays off NOW!”
21 November 1997, St. Louis (MO) Post-Dispatch, “Timing is everything when seeking that raise” by Jerry Berger, pg. A2:
“Hard work has a future payoff. Laziness pays off NOW”; ...
2 December 1997, Charlotte (NC) Observer, Living, pg. 3E:
Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
Google Books
My Life as a Fifth-Grade Comedian
By Elizabeth Levy
Prince Frederick, MD: Recorded Books
1999, ©1997
Pg. 78:
“Hard work has a future payoff, but laziness pays off now.”
“You got that from the Internet,” said Mr. Matous, sounding irritated. “I read it on an exchange of one-liners.”
Google Books
Leon Schuster’s Lekker, Thick South African Joke Book
By Leon Schuster
Halfway House, South Africa: Zebra
1998
Pg. 67 (bumper stickers):
Hard work pays off in the long run. Laziness pays off now!
13 November 1998, Chicago (IL) Sun-Times, pg. 64:
“PROCRASTINATION: Hard Work Often Pays Off After Time, But Laziness Always Pays Off Now.”
Google Books
The Greatest Joke Book Ever
By Mel Greene
New York, NY: Avon Books
1999
Pg. 241:
Hard work has a future payoff. Laziness pays off now.
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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