What is the saying about the Brooklyn Bridge?
What is the saying about the Brooklyn Bridge?
Ever since I was a young person, I have used the phrase, “If you believe that, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell to you”. The phrase originated because for over a century people have fallen for the con that New York City is selling the Brooklyn Bridge.
What does selling the Brooklyn Bridge mean?
sell someone the Brooklyn Bridge From the name of a bridge in New York City. The idea is that no ordinary person would be allowed to sell the bridge, so if they tried to sell it to you they would be cheating you.
Was the Brooklyn Bridge ever sold?
George C. Parker was known as the greatest con-man in American history, managing to sell landmark items like Madison Square Gardens, the Statue of Liberty and, you guessed it, the Brooklyn Bridge.
Did someone buy the Brooklyn Bridge?
Police removed several of his victims from the bridge as they tried to erect toll booths….
| George C. Parker | |
|---|---|
| Died | 1936 Sing Sing Prison |
| Other names | James J. O’Brien, Warden Kennedy, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Taylor |
| Occupation | con man |
| Criminal charge(s) | Best known for his attempts to “sell” the Brooklyn Bridge. |
What are some Brooklyn sayings?
“I’m so tight.” – Basically, this means “I’m upset.” “Tight” on its own has often been used as “sweet,” or “nice,” but not in this context. It’s definitely more negative. “Fuhgedaboutit.” – No, no one from Brooklyn really says this anymore, but we had to include it because we still think it’s hysterical. Badabing!
What is the saying about selling a bridge?
Used to indicate that one believes someone is especially gullible. A reference to the con man George C. Parker, best known for “selling” property that he did not own, most famously the Brooklyn Bridge.
How many times did George C Parker sell the Brooklyn Bridge?
It’s believed Parker could have sold the Brooklyn Bridge twice a week for forty years. In addition to selling the Brooklyn Bridge, he also sold Madison Square Garden, The metropolitan museum of Art, The statue of liberty, and Ulysses Grant’s tomb, posing as his grandson to his gullible targets using counterfeit deeds.
How many died building the Brooklyn Bridge?
At least 20 people died during the bridge’s construction. Roebling, who designed the bridge, was taking compass readings one afternoon when his foot was crushed between some pilings and a boat. His toes were amputated, and a few weeks later he died of tetanus.
What is the nickname for Brooklyn NY?
the twin city of New York
Brooklyn is referred to as the twin city of New York in the 1883 poem, “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus, which appears on a plaque inside the Statue of Liberty. The poem calls New York Harbor “the air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame”.
