The American idiom “I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell to you” is a humorous way of suggesting someone is gullible or easily deceived: it implies mock disbelief at someone’s gullibility. It simply means that the speaker believes the listener is easily fooled or gullible. It’s a metaphorical way of saying someone is being overly trusting or naive. The speaker is essentially suggesting that they could sell something obviously false or implausible to the listener because they seem willing to believe anything. So, the phrase is a humorous way of calling out someone’s lack of skepticism or critical thinking – that they would believe you if you told them that they could buy New York’s iconic Brooklyn Bridge from you.
Origin of the Idiom
The idiom traces its origins to early 20th-century New York City, specifically to the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. Completed in 1883, the bridge was a marvel of engineering, attracting widespread attention and admiration. However, its fame also made it a target for con artists looking to exploit the gullible.
Scammers would approach unsuspecting tourists or immigrants, claiming to be the rightful owners of the Brooklyn Bridge and offering it for sale. Of course, they had no ownership rights, but their persuasive tactics often convinced naive individuals to part with their money in exchange for a worthless deed.
Over time, the phrase became a colloquial expression used to mock someone’s gullibility or naivety. By sarcastically offering to sell a bridge, one implies that the listener is foolish enough to believe such an outrageous claim.
Today, the idiom is commonly employed in humorous contexts to suggest incredulity or skepticism towards someone’s credulousness. It serves as a cautionary reminder to approach dubious propositions with critical thinking and skepticism, lest one fall victim to deception or manipulation.
The Shakespeare Connection
While the specific phrase “I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell to you” is not found in Shakespeare’s works due to its origin in 20th-century American slang, Shakespeare did employ similar themes of deception and gullibility in his plays. One notable example is from Othello, where the character Iago manipulates Othello’s trust and convinces him of his wife Desdemona’s infidelity through a series of fabrications.
Shakespeare often explored the complexities of human nature, including the propensity for deceit and the consequences of blind trust. While the exact idiom may not be present, the broader themes of skepticism, manipulation, and credulity resonate throughout his works, making connections to modern idiomatic expressions like the one in question.
“I Have a Bridge in Brooklyn to Sell to you” in Films
The idiom “I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell to you” has been humorously employed in various films to convey incredulity or skepticism towards a character’s naivety or willingness to believe improbable claims. Here are a few examples:
- “Catch Me If You Can” (2002): In this film based on a true story, the character Frank Abagnale Jr., played by Leonardo DiCaprio, uses various cons to deceive people. While posing as a Pan Am pilot, he jokingly tells a stewardess, “I own a bridge in Brooklyn, and I’d like to sell it to you.”
- “The Music Man” (1962): In this musical, con artist Harold Hill tries to swindle the residents of River City. At one point, he uses the phrase to dismiss someone’s skepticism about his sales pitch, saying, “Now, just a minute, Professor Hill, who told you we needed a band? You did, sir. You said if a boy has a horn, and knows how to blow it, he doesn’t need to bother with a girl. You’ve got a swindler’s word for it. I’ll bet you sell that bridge in Brooklyn every week.”
- “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001): In this heist film, the character Rusty, played by Brad Pitt, sarcastically uses the phrase when discussing a dubious plan with Danny Ocean, played by George Clooney, suggesting they could convince someone to buy a non-existent bridge.
Similar Phrases
Over time other phrases have emerged in imitation of “I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell to you”
- “I have some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you”: This phrase suggests incredulity toward someone’s gullibility by humorously offering to sell land in a location where it is obviously impossible, highlighting the listener’s naivety.
- “I’ve got a great deal on the Eiffel Tower”: Similar to the Brooklyn Bridge phrase, this expression implies that the speaker is attempting to deceive the listener by offering to sell an iconic landmark, exposing their gullibility.
- “If you believe that, I’ve got a unicorn to sell you”: This phrase employs the mythical creature to underscore the absurdity of the listener’s belief, emphasizing their naivety or credulity.
- “You were born yesterday”: This saying implies that the listener lacks experience or wisdom, suggesting they are easily fooled or deceived.
- “You’ll buy anything”: This straightforward statement indicates disbelief in the listener’s discernment or critical thinking, suggesting they are susceptible to being duped.
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