A picture paints a thousand words

This phrase originated in America in the early s. Its introduction is widely attributed to Frederick R. Barnard, an advertising executive. However, other references to its origin also exist. The most likely origin and also the oldest printed record of the phrase in its exact form is believed to be in in an American newspaper, The San Antonio Light, which first published it in an advertisement for the paper itself, which reads:.

Which is correct? The standard Fred Barnard story about the origin of this proverb was disproven by The Yale Book of Quotations , which has the following information:. There appears to be no basis for the Chinese attribution. Who said it first: Lee Iacocca or Stephen Covey? Or perhaps someone that the internet is not aware of What is origin of a stitch in time saves nine. What's good for the goose is good for the grander.