Crackers in bed

Posted by ESC on June 26, 2003

In Reply to: Crackers in bed posted by R. Trochlil on June 26, 2003

: : : : : : : Orgin of phrase: I sure wouldn't throw her out just for eating crackers in bed.

: : : : : : I couldn't find the origin. I believe it's a country/Southern saying. The way I've heard it is: "I wouldn't kick her/him out of bed for eating crackers." Meaning the person is attractive so annoying habits don't matter. That isn't true, by the way.

: : : : : I have traced it to the 1950's but no further. My kids claim it originated then. I used it in a novel set in 1862 and they claim it doesn't fit. It sure does fit in the novel though. So....

: : : : I'll give it another search this evening. I have some teenage slang books that I'll look through. When were "crackers" invented? They are fairly old, I'm guessing.

: : : I've rarely heard anything stuck on the end of "I wouldn't kick her out of my bed" - perhaps it is an expression that changes from time to time.

: : The expression was the subject of a country song:

: : You Can Eat Crackers In My Bed Anytime
: : Barbara Mandrell

: : Hello baby
: : I'm sorry I said the things I did.
: : It was a silly fight.
: : I was wrong you were right.
: : What I really mean to say is...

: : You can eat crackers in my bed anytime, baby
: : You can kick off all the covers in the middle of the night.
: : You can sleep with the window open wide.
: : Do anything as long as you're by my side.
: : You can eat crackers in my bed anytime...

: "Crackers" goes back to at least to the Civil War. One of the supply routes under Grant was known as the 'cracker line' They were talking 'hardtack' which kind of looked like a big cracker.

: When did Mandrell sing this? The entire phrase goes back to 1950's at least.

1980/81.

• Court case ESC 06/26/03