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Showing posts from December 30, 2020

“If you believe that, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell to you” George Parker

When I found this picture of a can of "Dehydrated Water" it reminded  me of the old phrase about selling the Brooklyn bridge.  I wonder if this could have inspired the sale of bottled water that's so popular. HERE'S AN INTERESTING ARTICLE 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. George C. Parker (1860-1936), a native New Yorker, was responsible for originating the phrase.  Parker, of whose life we know became famous for selling New York City landmarks of all kinds ranging from Madison Square Garden to the Statue of Liberty.  He also sold the Metropolitan Museum of Art and even Grant’s tomb as the general’s grandson! He would set up fake sales offices and forge documents to support his cons. One of his most popular places for spotting rubes or victims was El

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