Topper : 'bread and butter'?

'bread and butter'?

In the scene at the hotel, when all the security personnel form a human chain to catch the "phantom," one of the guys turns to another, saying "bread and butter."

Does anybody know what that means?

Re: 'bread and butter'?

Nearly a year later and I am still wondering that very same thing!

Re: 'bread and butter'?

I just watched this movie on dvd. (I rented it through NETFLIX.) The only other time I recall hearing the line "bread and butter" was in the movie Beaches when the characters C.C. and Hillary were little girls in Atlantic City. I gathered it meant things that go together. However I could be wrong.

Re: 'bread and butter'?

"Bread and Butter" is what you say if you are holding hands with someone and something comes between you. In the movie the police crawl over a table around a large flower arrangement. Usually it is only said if the object causes you to separate your hands. Its a good luck thing.

Re: 'bread and butter'?

If you are with someone and walk past something that comes between you, if you do not say, "bread and butter", you will soon get in a fight with each other. Thank my 92-year-old grandmother for knowing that one. Any other old wives' tales you want to know about, just ask and I'll forward the request to her.

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Re: 'bread and butter'?


There's some WB cartoon with tigers in a cage pacing back and forth having to say Bread n Butter all day long. Without knowing the superstition you can't understand why it's ridiculous.
Yes, you're thinking of A Day at the Zoo (1939). (And they're panthers, by the way.)


...Justin

Re: 'bread and butter'?

Thanks to everyone for this thread and to pimp4u for clarifying the origin of this phrase. It was also recently said in an obscure Rosalind Russell movie I saw within the past couple weeks, and I could not imagine the origin or meaning. I love movies from the "golden age."

Re: 'bread and butter'?

My grandmother said it was so we will be brought back together.

Re: 'bread and butter'?

It's just a superstitious phrase of the era http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_and_butter note this entry refers to it's use in TOPPER among other films and books.

Re: 'bread and butter'?

I suppose this scene might not have been as funny if you don't know what the expression means. It's one of my favorites in the movie--just a tiny little throw away line that is such a crack up.

There are so many little gems like this all through it. When Topper's wife is distraught and crying when George accuses Topper of running away with Marion. The first thing she says when he leaves, still crying, is "He's terribly handsome isn't he". When Cosmo asks the butler to try to act like a human and he turns with a silly smile on his face. When the house detective has the sheep dog plopped in his arms and the cop says "what is this" and he replies, "it's a dog". Just silly sweet humor.

Love Topper.

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Re: 'bread and butter'?

Here are a few other titles that use the phrase: imdb.com/keyword/bread-and-butter-phrase/.


...Justin

Re: 'bread and butter'?

The TV Show " Twilight Zone " ( from 1959-64 ) used this phrase twice in two different episodes - " Nick of Time " and " The Incredible World of Horace Ford " . So it appears to have been used quite a bit throughout the years in Movies and TV Shows . It would certainly be very funny to hear someone say it in this day and age lol ( but of course in a cool retro way - wink ! ) . It actually makes me hungry hearing the phrase lol . Thanks marjcbs for your subject post .

Re: 'bread and butter'?

My husband and I say it ALL the time when we're walking and something comes between us. We think it's a crack up--as I'm sure no one else does! :)
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