What's the origin of the phrase "Letters, we get letters"?

May 14, 2004 12:37 PM

"Letters, we get letters"...I've seen that hack headline atop the reader mailbag section of too many publications. What's the origin?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders to Writing & Language (6 answers total)

I first heard it on Letterman. He always opens up his mail while singing a little song that goes, "Letters, we get letters, we get lots and lots of letters... letteeeeeeers!"
posted by vorfeed at 12:46 PM on May 14, 2004

Letterman. Most definitely.
posted by me3dia at 1:06 PM on May 14, 2004

Response by poster: You guys are insane. This WAY predates Letterman. Shaffer is using the corny title for laughs. (and it's "...stacks and stacks of letters...")

Anybody?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 1:55 PM on May 14, 2004

Perry Como.
posted by profwhat at 1:57 PM on May 14, 2004

No no no, it totally predates Letterman! It was Perry Como's theme somg. In the 1940s!
posted by GaelFC at 1:59 PM on May 14, 2004

(and it's "...stacks and stacks of letters...")

Anybody?

Sorry, it's sacks and sacks of letters. (scroll down a few paragraphs)
posted by mr_crash_davis at 10:49 PM on May 14, 2004