Date:  Thu, 8 Feb 1996 09:01:53 -0500

From:  Jesse T Sheidlower <jester[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]PANIX.COM>

Subject: Re: Five & Dime / Dime store



>

> Tom, I was alive through 85% of the 1930s, but I remember the "million

> dollar baby in the five and ten cent store" from the 1940s. Someone else

> will come on and say it was 1950s, I'm sure.



I'm hardly in a position to say, since my _parents_ were only alive

through 40% of the 1930s, but see _American Speech_ VII (April 1932)

250: Bing Crosby plaintively croons that he has "Found a Million

Dollar Baby in the Five and Ten Cent Store." Doesn't say when the

song was written, but before 1932 for sure.



Jesse Sheidlower

Random House Reference

<jester[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]panix.com>