The saying “please don’t eat the daisies” is an idiomatic phrase that has been used in various contexts over the years But what exactly does it mean and where did it originate from? This article will explore the background, definition, and usage of this quirky expression
The Origins and History
The phrase “please don’t eat the daisies” first entered mainstream pop culture with the publication of humorist Jean Kerr’s 1957 book titled “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies,” The book consisted of various essays and anecdotes about Kerr’s life as a housewife and mother
In 1960, the book was adapted into a film of the same name starring Doris Day and David Niven. The daisy-eating phrase became the title and signature line of the movie. However, the saying predates Kerr’s works and has more obscure origins.
Some sources cite musical comedies from the 1920s that included the phrase in lyrics and dialogue. The phrase may have originated even earlier as a polite guest request not to pick or eat flowers from the host’s garden.
Literal Meaning
Taken literally, “please don’t eat the daisies” is a straightforward plea to refrain from ingesting daisies and other flowers. Daisies belong to the toxin-containing Asteraceae plant family and can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if eaten. So the phrase works as a warning against eating flowers that can make you sick.
Figurative Meaning
In a figurative sense though, this phrase has evolved to convey a few varying messages:
-
A request not to destroy, damage, or ruin something pretty or precious.
-
An appeal not to spoil, interfere with, or encroach on something another is enjoying.
-
A cry of exasperation when rules or boundaries are broken.
The figurative meanings range from polite appeals to more frustrated outbursts when expectations aren’t met. But they all get across the point of asking others not to meddle with or needlessly trample on things.
Examples of Usage
Here are some examples of how the phrase “please don’t eat the daisies” can be used in writing or everyday speech:
-
“I spent all morning weeding the garden beds and planting these daisies, so please don’t eat the daisies by trampling through them on your way to the yard.”
-
“We put out refreshments for the party guests – please don’t eat the daisies by gobbling everything up before the party even starts.”
-
“I know you’re upset but please don’t eat the daisies by taking it out on innocent bystanders.”
-
“We have a good system in place – please don’t eat the daisies by trying to completely change how we do things around here.”
-
“I worked so hard on this report, so please don’t eat the daisies by submitting edits that undermine or undo my work.”
The above examples demonstrate how the phrase can be applied to different scenarios where boundaries are crossed or processes disrupted. The daisies represent the fragile thing being infringed upon.
Related Idioms and Phrases
A few other idioms and phrases relate to the notion behind “please don’t eat the daisies”:
-
Don’t upset the apple cart: Don’t disrupt or mess up an existing situation or system.
-
Don’t rock the boat: Avoid creating issues or conflicts in a stable situation.
-
Don’t break what’s fixed: If it’s working fine already, don’t interfere with it unnecessarily.
-
Don’t bite the hand that feeds you: Avoid harming or offending someone who provides for you.
-
Touchy feely: Overly sensitive, fragile, or easily disturbed.
These phrases all warn against unnecessary and potentially damaging meddling or disruption. Just like the daisies represent innocence, these idioms use items like apple carts and boats to symbolize fragile systems.
In Software and Technology
In software engineering, the “please don’t eat the daisies” fallacy refers specifically to changing code or systems that already work fine in their current state. The phrase cautions developers against needless tampering purely out of boredom or attraction to novelty. If code accomplishes its intended function without problems, it’s best to leave it alone rather than introduce new bugs.
In essence, “please don’t eat the daisies” urges us to avoid damaging, interfering with, or consuming things pointlessly simply because we can. The phrase evokes innocent flowers at risk of being thoughtlessly trampled or plucked. Whether referring to actual daisies or more metaphorical “daisies,” this quirky idiom reminds us to stop and consider potential consequences before acting on impulse.
I think my favorite application for this song is in helping people who are very confused to follow simple instructions.
Here’s how (and why) this could work:
This song is in a major key and triple meter, which gives it a fun, rocking feel that goes well with its sappy, motherly tone. This song doesn’t sound like a mother ripping out her hair in anger or crying out for her kids’ safety. Rather, you hear a gentle correction of a child’s doesn’t-know-any-better behavior.
Some people with dementia may not know any better, so this is a good way to gently change their behavior. As a caregiver, you may already know that people in the middle and late stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias sometimes try to eat things that aren’t food. It’s not okay to let this happen because it could cause choking or infections, but taking something from someone’s hand might also make them angry.
Here’s a quirky popular song from Doris Day to add to your repertoire.
“Please Don’t Eat The Daisies” is the title of a book, film, song, and TV series, created in that order, all about the funny moments of raising kids in the suburbs. Jean Kerr wrote the original book of humorous essays, sharing the shining moments of raising her four boys in the ‘burbs after years of living in New York City. Doris Day took up Kerr’s role as the newly-suburban mother in the film, and this is where the song “Please Don’t Eat The Daisies” first appeared.
As with any song, this one can be used in a lot of different ways in music therapy and daily caregiving, depending on what role you play. You could put this in a collection of songs about flowers, a work about Doris Day’s music, or a list of waltz-style songs. The swaying rhythm also lends nicely to movement to music experiences.
TCM Comments on Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (1960)
Is ‘Please Don’t Eat the Daisies’ based on a true story?
Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (New York: Doubleday, 1957) is a best-selling collection of humorous essays by American humorist and playwright Jean Kerr about suburban living and raising four boys. The essays do not have a plot or through-storyline, but the book sold so well it was adapted into a 1960 film starring Doris Day and David Niven.
When was Please Don’t Eat the Daisies made?
Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (film) Please Don’t Eat the Daisies is a 1960 Metrocolor comedy film in CinemaScope starring Doris Day and David Niven, made by Euterpe Inc., and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
What is the movie Please Don’t Eat the Daisies about?
A drama critic and his family try to adjust to life in the country. Please Don’t Eat The Daisies (1960) — (Movie Clip) Awful Quiet Based on the book Please Don’t Eat the Daisies by Jean Kerr (Garden City, NJ, 1957).
Who is ‘Doris Day’ in ‘Please Don’t Eat the Daisies’?
“Doris Day was already a household name in America when Please Don’t Eat the Daisies was released; her reputation as a gifted comedic actress had been confirmed in previous films like Teacher’s Pet (1958), and Pillow Talk (1959) and her persona stayed true to form for Daisies.