does macy's tell gimbel's
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 0.00 in modern English
33
Scrabble Score
20
Letters
5
Syllables
13
Unique Chars
Meaning
phrase
A rhetorical question with the implied answer being that competitors do not share business secrets with one another.
American usage; Colloquial; Dated
Example Sentences
- "The "Does Macy's tell Gimbel's?" gag has been a standard one in New York for many years. It was somewhat shattered last night at the Copacabana, when two young couples were seated at a ringside table and conversed at great length...."Well, Macy's may not tell Gimbel's," said one of the young men, "But Bloomingdale's does.""
- "In other words the older circuit will give the Johnny-come-lately as little help and comfort as it can. After all, does Macy's tell Gimbel's?"
- "...As a lesson in merchandising, not only store products, but good-will, this "Miracle on 34th Street" is a dandy. Does Macy's tell Gimbel's? It should!"
- "Col. Hogan (to Col. Klink) Does Macy tell Gimbel?"
Etymology
Macy's and Gimbels (without the apostrophe) were popular department stores located within two blocks of one another in Midtown Manhattan in New York City; the latter store is now defunct.
Usage
- American usage
- Colloquial
- Dated