Meaning and origin or 'Diff'rent strokes' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

skel8tor · 01-16-2012, 08:53 PM

Hi All tv forum people,
Following up on a question from my youth. If this has already been discussed link me to it and i'll read.
"What is the meaning of the tittle 'Diff'rent Strokes' in the tv sitcom of he same name?"
I'm mainly interested in the apostrophe and the word rent.
Research will uncover; To stroke a cat, Sly and the family stones, 'To each his own (from 1500AD ish), two peas in a pod, and black and white from the same brush etc etc

I'm really really wondering what the tv execs intended when they changed: "1966 [quoting boxer Cassius Clay]” I got DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS.”—Great Bend Daily Tribune (Kansas), 11 November, page 6"
to "Diff'rent Strokes"

I don't think there is any actual truth here but thoughts, opinions and ideas all welcome.

[what-choo talkn' about skel8tor?]

Schmoopie · 01-17-2012, 01:58 AM

I think it's just an abbreviation for Different Strokes. In all honesty, I never really noticed the apostrophe before. But as for the actual title, I think it means that Willis and Arnold were so different than Mr. Drummond and the show kind of blended them together.

skel8tor · 01-18-2012, 01:12 AM

Thank you Schmoopie
Similarly, my friend suggested that they were just being colloquial.

36 views and one reply come on people thoughts opinions idea's, broad generous(even wrong) ideas.

Im interested in a thread which has just started by Brain Damage 'Was the premise...offensive?', little bit of Yes little bit of No in my opinion.

What does Diff'rent Strokes mean?

(I give you permission to be racist in this thread, not in a hateful way, just in a logical informative way)

skel8tor · 01-22-2012, 08:52 PM

Anyone?

skel8tor · 02-13-2012, 07:06 PM

Anyone?

TV_on_the_Porch · 02-13-2012, 08:03 PM

I once heard that it was originated by Sly Stone as heard in the song Everyday People. I believed that for a long time, but recently I heard it was something said by Mohammed Ali referring to his boxing technique. Perhaps Sly Stone's use of Ali's phrase in song is what popularized it.

Retro4Life · 02-13-2012, 10:04 PM

Always took it to mean that everyone has a different lifestyle, and that, implicit in this message is the thought that no one should judge others, or more specifically, judge Drummond for his unorthodox life choice of adopting two young black children, as a single white monied man.

Yooch · 02-13-2012, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skel8tor

Anyone?

I like the line from Ferris Bueller's Day Off where Ben Stein's the boring teacher. ..."Anyone"?

As to the thread, the first thing that came to mind for me also was the Sly and the Family Stone's Everyday People which has been mentioned in the thread. I don't know if this is the answer, but it seems plausible.

skel8tor · 03-16-2013, 05:18 PM

Thank you for your help, good answer.
(I'm still searching...)

01-16-2012, 08:53 PM	#1
skel8tor Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 16, 2012 Location: New Zealand Posts: 6	Meaning and origin or 'Diff'rent strokes' Hi All tv forum people, Following up on a question from my youth. If this has already been discussed link me to it and i'll read. "What is the meaning of the tittle 'Diff'rent Strokes' in the tv sitcom of he same name?" I'm mainly interested in the apostrophe and the word rent. Research will uncover; To stroke a cat, Sly and the family stones, 'To each his own (from 1500AD ish), two peas in a pod, and black and white from the same brush etc etc I'm really really wondering what the tv execs intended when they changed: "1966 [quoting boxer Cassius Clay]” I got DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS.”—Great Bend Daily Tribune (Kansas), 11 November, page 6" to "Diff'rent Strokes" I don't think there is any actual truth here but thoughts, opinions and ideas all welcome. [what-choo talkn' about skel8tor?]

01-17-2012, 01:58 AM	#2
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I think it's just an abbreviation for Different Strokes. In all honesty, I never really noticed the apostrophe before. But as for the actual title, I think it means that Willis and Arnold were so different than Mr. Drummond and the show kind of blended them together.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

01-22-2012, 08:52 PM	#4
skel8tor Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 16, 2012 Location: New Zealand Posts: 6	Anyone? Anyone?

02-13-2012, 10:04 PM	#7
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Always took it to mean that everyone has a different lifestyle, and that, implicit in this message is the thought that no one should judge others, or more specifically, judge Drummond for his unorthodox life choice of adopting two young black children, as a single white monied man.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

01-18-2012, 01:12 AM	#3
skel8tor Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 16, 2012 Location: New Zealand Posts: 6	Thank you Schmoopie Similarly, my friend suggested that they were just being colloquial. 36 views and one reply come on people thoughts opinions idea's, broad generous(even wrong) ideas. Im interested in a thread which has just started by Brain Damage 'Was the premise...offensive?', little bit of Yes little bit of No in my opinion. What does Diff'rent Strokes mean? (I give you permission to be racist in this thread, not in a hateful way, just in a logical informative way)

02-13-2012, 07:06 PM	#5
skel8tor Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 16, 2012 Location: New Zealand Posts: 6	Anyone?

02-13-2012, 08:03 PM	#6
TV_on_the_Porch anything good on? Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Posts: 879	I once heard that it was originated by Sly Stone as heard in the song Everyday People. I believed that for a long time, but recently I heard it was something said by Mohammed Ali referring to his boxing technique. Perhaps Sly Stone's use of Ali's phrase in song is what popularized it.

03-16-2013, 05:18 PM	#9
skel8tor Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 16, 2012 Location: New Zealand Posts: 6	Thank you for your help, good answer. (I'm still searching...)