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

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