Celebrate Dorothy Parker Day

May 15 is "Celebrate Dorothy Parker Day"--the seventy-fifth anniversary of the publication of a now-canonical book, "The Portable Dorothy Parker." What to know in advance?

*Ms. Parker would answer the phone by asking, "What Fresh Hell Is This?"

*Ms. Parker wanted, on her tombstone, the words: "Excuse My Dust."

*When working at the "New Yorker," which was very poor, Ms. Parker often failed to carry out her tasks. Confronted by her boss, she said, "I did try to stop by last week, in fact, but someone was using the pencil...."

*Parker, making use of zeugma, to describe her apartment: "It's quite small. I have just enough room to lay my things--and a few friends."

*Parker, on the laws of the universe: "Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses."

*And Parker, on adversity: "Guns aren't lawful; nooses give. Gas is awful....You might as well live."

Three cheers for Dorothy! Enjoy this upcoming important day.

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