Variations of the “like a fish needs a bicycle” quote have been around almost as long as the bicycle itself. These days this feminist slogan has been attributed to Irina Dunn in 1970, but the origin seems to be a derivative of an earlier form:
God needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.
Unknown
Below is perhaps the earliest version of the “fish needs a bicycle” quote.
The place [Aragon, Spain] didn’t need an American consul any more than a cow needs a bicycle; for it had no trade with America, and no American tourist ever dreamed of stopping there.
The Hartford Courant, A Connecticut newspaper, 1898. Credit.
I was surprised to discover this animatronic fish on a bicycle when I visited the Guinness Storehouse brewery in Dublin, Ireland. This is a recreation of their iconic “Fish on a Bicycle” advert in 1996. (See the original advertisement below.) It’s a wonderful tribute to feminism, including the song, “I’m gonna wash that man right out of my hair.” However, the ending is a contradiction as we see that fish actually do need bicycles or, at least, fish want to ride bicycles.
More variations from earlier times
A man without faith is like a fish without a bicycle.
Charles S. Harris, 1958.
Try making a fun quote yourself.
Here’s the formula:
A needs B like C needs a bicycle.
Leave a comment below with your “a fish needs a bicycle” inspired quote.
Man needs God like a fish needs a bicycle
Unknown. Rebuttal to previous.
In recent times, the Quote Investigator did a much better job deconstructing this quote than I did. See the full breakdown of “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” Spoiler alert: the quote investigator attributes this quote to graffiti on a wall as reported by a newspaper.
We found this anonymous contribution to International Women’s Year on a wall at Forest Lodge: “A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle.”
The Sydney Morning Herald, January, 1975.
Modern twists
It seems people like their freedom from needing anything as evident in these variations.
A man needs a woman like a fish needs a bicycle.
Anonymous.
People need government like a mouse needs a cat.
Anonymous
And, perhaps, my favorite of them all.
“A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” I really hate this expression. I bet fish would totally want bicycles.
Meg Cabot, Princess on the Brink.
In pop culture
Nothin’ much to say I guess
U2, Tryin’ To Throw Your Arms Around The World, 1991
You’re just the same as all the rest
Been tryin’ to throw your arms around the world
And a woman needs a man
Like a fish needs a bicycle
When you’re tryin’ to throw your arms around the world
I’m gonna run to you, run to you, run to you.
One Comment
A man needs a woman like a fish needs a bicycle.