BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD

Something (or someone) new that is considered extremely exciting is sometimes described as “the best (or greatest) thing since sliced bread.”

 Examples of use:

 “Midday napping is not for everyone, and some people have trouble sleeping during the daytime. But for some, it’s the best thing since sliced bread. ”

 “It was a 12-week course and proved the best thing since sliced bread.”

 “That little red and yellow bus was the greatest thing since sliced bread.”


 This expression apparently dates from the late 1960s and refers, humorously, to the invention of the bread-slicing machine by American Otto Rohwedder, which allowed bread to be bought wrapped and already sliced. [1] Sliced bread was first sold on 7th July 1928.

 [1]  “Best” In Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by Susie Dent. 19th ed. Chambers Harrap, 2012.

 Photo credit: Matt Burns