Where did the phrase pay the man Shirley originate?

Answer 1

The phrase "pay the man, Shirley" is believed to have originated from a scene in the 1989 film "Road House," starring Patrick Swayze. In the scene, Swayze's character, a bouncer named Dalton, says the line to a character named Shirley after she asks him to take a bribe. The phrase has since become a popular meme and is often used humorously to emphasize the importance of settling debts or acknowledging someone's skills or accomplishments.

Answer 2

The phrase pay the man Shirley originate from sports reporter Norman Chad. The line pays homage to Shirley Povich, a Washington Post sports editor. Norman Chad began his career in sports reporting at the Washington Post.