WIST Quotations

Muller, Marcia -- Edwin of the Iron Shoes, ch. 7 (1977)

Dave — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 21:58:51 +0000

When I stepped through the door, the sharp odor of gin hit me. Charlie was drowning his sorrows, and they apparently were dying hard.

Marcia Muller (b. 1944) American author
Edwin of the Iron Shoes, ch. 7 (1977)
(Source)

Bukowski, Charles -- Factotum, ch. 31 (1975)

Dave — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 21:21:03 +0000

When you drank the world was still out there, but for the moment it didn’t have you by the throat.

Charles Bukowski (1920-1994) German-American author, poet
Factotum, ch. 31 (1975)

Landers, Ann -- “Ask Ann Landers,” syndicated column (1958)

Dave — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 03:04:47 +0000

You’re trying to drown your sorrows in alcohol and it won’t work. Sorrows know how to swim.

Ann Landers (1918-2002) American advice columnist [pseud. for Eppie Lederer]
“Ask Ann Landers,” syndicated column (1958)

Landers used the phrase multiple times, e.g.,

"And now an added P.S. In these days of political unrest, financial crisis and emotional upheaval, a word to those of you who are trying to drown your sorrow. Please be aware that sorrow knows how to swim." [The Ann Landers Encyclopedia: A to Z (1978)]
"People who drink to drown their sorrow should be told that sorrow knows how to swim."

However, the phrase predates her in a variety of anonymous sources; see here for more discussion.

Corey, James S. A. -- Leviathan Wakes, ch. 42 (2011) [with Ty Franck]

Dave — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 15:07:29 +0000

Liquor doesn’t make you feel better. Just makes you not so worried about feeling bad.

James S. A. Corey (contemp.) American writer [pen name of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck]
Leviathan Wakes, ch. 42 (2011) [with Ty Franck]
(Source)