The phrase “the best thing since sliced bread” is often used, and while a helpful conversational tool, it leaves us asking: what was the best thing before sliced bread?
Taking the helm in pursuit of an answer, CMD is using this post as a poll to seek the answer to the question.
We invite you all to weigh in with comments on your suggested modifications.
I think the answer would simply be “bread,” wouldn’t it? Otherwise I’m going with codpiece.
Fire…I am not even sure sliced bread beats fire. I think fire may be the greatest invention of all time. Imagine how nasty bacon would taste without fire.
I think Maire may be on to something, but wouldn’t that mean bacon had to come before fire, so bacon would be the next best thing?
I have often pondered the sliced bread saying… And realized there are a million things that are better. Sure, fire, bacon…. The wheel? Internet?cars/boats/trains/planes? Television? Telephones? Gunpowder? Radio? The list is endless!!! Sliced bread is pretty low on my list.
Have we considered the geo-specific nature of the phrase itself? What about cultures where the ham sandwich is not standard fare … what does those cultures use to convey similar meaning?
Liam, you’re assuming they even have culture. Without bacon I’m not certain they could claim to have such.
😉
I’m going with chocolate!