I was listening to a Beatles podcast the other day and one of the hosts used the phrase "a mere bag of shells". The other host immediately noted that it was "another Honeymooners reference".

Ralph uses the phrase on the Honeymooners a few times, but surely he didn't make it up? Anyone know of any other uses of the phrase outside of the Honeymooners?

Apologies if this isn't the question you're asking: Ralph mispronounces the word "bagatelle," meaning a trinket or a trifling item.

Apologies if this isn't the question you're asking: Ralph mispronounces the word "bagatelle," meaning a trinket or a trifling item.
Really? That's the joke? It's a malapropism? Lol, I've never heard of the word bagatelle, that's funny. Glad I asked.

Bag of shells actually makes sense though (sort of), which makes it funnier.

Really? That's the joke? It's a malapropism? Lol, I've never heard of the word bagatelle, that's funny.

Yes, that's it. I think it's an old fashion-y word now.

Yes, that's it. I think it's an old fashion-y word now.
I think it's French.