sucker an even break, never give a

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | 484 words | Copyright

sucker an even break, never give a proverbial saying, early 20th century, meaning that one should not allow a fair chance to a fool, or one who may be easily deceived. The saying is often associated with the American humorist W. C. Fields (1880–1946), who is said to have used it in the musical comedy Poppy (1923), though it does not occur in the libretto. (Poppy was made into a silent film, Sally of the Sawdust, in 1925, and later (1936) into a ‘talkie’.)

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "sucker an even break, never give a." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "sucker an even break, never give a." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-suckeranevenbreaknevergiv.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "sucker an even break, never give a." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-suckeranevenbreaknevergiv.html

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