“It is true, I confess, that if a male character of my invention started across the stage to disrobe a virgin criminally (ah, euphemism to end euphemisms!), he would probably catch his foot in the piano stool and end up playing "Button Up Your Overcoat" on the black keys.”

— James Thurber

"The Case for Comedy", Lanterns & Lances (1961).
From Lanterns and Lances‎

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James Thurber 90

American cartoonist, author, journalist, playwright 1894–1961

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1880's