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Who originally penned the popular verse that begins: "Here I sit, all broken-hearted"?

Question #85570. Asked by stuthehistoryguy.
Last updated Jun 08 2021.

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myrab51 star
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myrab51 star
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Answer has 3 votes.

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I have come across several different answers as to the etymology of this phrase. Some of the answers included Elvis, Spock, Christ, Freud, and Newton. I somehow doubt any of these are the correct answer. It appears to have been a popular graffiti in the old theaters and has carried on ever since. Possibly the origin will remain unknown. It is linked to the term 'spend a penny'.

SPEND A PENNY phrase. 1. To go to the toilet. The phrase has its origins in the days when most toilet stalls in the LOO had locks which would only open after a penny had been inserted. As in this graffiti,

Here I sit broken hearted,
Paid a penny and only (passed gas).
or
Definition of torture: Standing outside a LOO with a bent penny.

link http://folklore.usc.edu/here-i-sit-broken-hearted/

Response last updated by CmdrK on Jun 08 2021.
Sep 10 2007, 9:04 AM
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