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8 Hilarious Phyllis Diller Quotes That Broke the Boring Housewife Mold (VIDEO)

by Jacqueline Burt on August 20, 2012 at 9:42 PM

Heaven just got a hell of a lot more fun: The legendary Phyllis Diller passed away today at the age of 95 with -- wouldn't you know it?
A "smile on her face," according to her son Perry. Which is exactly why I'm not going to say anything sappy or sad about this tremendous loss -- that's the last thing the iconic comedienne would've wanted! The woman who once described her comedy style as "tragedy revisited" would have wanted us to remember her and LAUGH. And maybe to say, "thanks!" Because without Phyllis Diller's outrageous send-up of the traditional American houswife stereotype -- the first of its kind -- we might still be stuck looking up to Donna Reed.

One of my favorite facts about Phyllis Diller's life: She didn't start her career in comedy until she was 37 years old -- and a mother of 5! Now that's what I call badass, ladies.

And so: Here are a few of the late, great Phyllis Diller's most fabulous quotes for those of us ladies who never had a shot in hell of being Donna Reed:

"The only thing domestic about me is I was born in this country."

"They say housework can't kill you, but why take the chance?"

"I became a stand-up comedienne because I had a sit-down husband."

"Always be nice to your children because they are the ones who will choose your rest home."

"Best way to get rid of kitchen odors: Eat out."

"Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing."

"We spend the first twelve months of our children's lives teaching them to walk and talk and the next twelve telling them to sit down and shut up."

"Never go to bed angry. Stay up and fight."

(My personal fave? The one about cleaning your house while the kids are still growing. YOU SAID IT, SISTER!)

How will you remember Phyllis Diller?

Image via PBS/YouTube

Filed Under: celebrity death, comedy

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DebaLa

August 20, 2012 at 9:54 PM

She was a badass. An icon and a nut to watch! Totally ahead of her time — even Joan Rivers has her to thank — and never to be seen again. My mom was definitely in the Phyllis camp, not the Donna Reed one. RIP Ms Diller, condolences to her family and those that knew her best.
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JAFE

August 20, 2012 at 10:39 PM

The memories I have of watching her with my mom on Hollywood Squares is something I'll never forget.

Godspeed Phyllis.
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ImaSoulMom

August 20, 2012 at 10:57 PM

R.i.p. Phyllis. She was pioneer for some of the awesome female comedians we have now.
-- Facebook comment from
Ella Rucker

August 20, 2012 at 11:08 PM

One of my favorite facts about Phyllis Diller's life: She didn't start her career in comedy until she was37 years old -- and a mother of 5! Now that's what I call badass, ladies.

http://goodenoughmother.com/2011/03/why-reinvention-rocks/
-- Facebook comment from
David Peak

August 21, 2012 at 12:58 AM

Phyllis Diller is (I won't say was, because her passing doesn't change it) a true timeless Icon. People for generations will remember her for her comedic contributions. She's the Queen of innuendo, she could tell a joke that would make you blush without saying anything dirty, which is a lost art. Her way of poking fun at herself also allowed people to embrace their flaws with a sense of humor and gracefully accept the imperfections we all have. I am so thankful we have such a great record of her work, because of that, she will never be truly gone.
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shrimpmommy

August 21, 2012 at 4:20 AM

I love the name Phyllis. I could say it over and over.
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mamivon2

August 21, 2012 at 11:23 AM

I have never heard of her..
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ksbondgirl

August 21, 2012 at 12:33 PM

I loved her comment, "I have had so many facelifts in my life that i don't know what part of the skin is there now but whatever it is, it doesn't smell very nice!"
-- Nonmember comment from
arlene rogers w

August 21, 2012 at 2:37 PM

great article on Ms. Diller.
-- Facebook comment from
Arlene Wilhite-Williams

August 21, 2012 at 2:42 PM

Rest in peace Ms. Phyllis. I remember I used to sit up with my mom and watch Ms. Diller and the late great Bob Hope movies, and my mom would just laugh til tears came into her eyes and I would look at her and think my mom is so beautiful when she laughs. I thought she was the best besides Ms. Ball. Now I try to find all the old movies I can of that era with Ms. Phyllis and others for my collection. I watch the movies with my granddaughters and I just be laughing, and they be looking up at me smiing and laughing too, and I wonder if they be thinking, my grandma is so beautiful when she's laughing...rest in peace mama and Ms. Diller, and Mr. Hope, thanks for the memories and laughter.

8 Hilarious Phyllis Diller Quotes That Broke the Boring Housewife Mold (VIDEO)

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