Different Strokes

"Different strokes for different folks." That's the favorite proverb of paremiologist Wolfgang Mieder, who is quite literally a "proverbial scholar" -- someone who studies proverbs. "I would argue it had to grow on American ground, because it doesn't tell you what to do. It says, 'Accept the differences in people,' " Mieder says. "I think it's a truly liberating proverb." Mieder thinks the expression took popularity in the sixties with Sly and the Family Stone's "Everyday People" -- which I'm embarrassed to say, I recognize primarily as a Toyota jingle (but which is really so much more)! Thanks for sending the article, Mom.