In the 1950s in a Reader's Digest Humor feature was a quote that went something like: "You no more fit (something) than namesake (or godsake)." With more after, sort of a botched translation. Our family used it as a joke message when someone had failed to do a job or chore. Anyone remember more of the quote?

I think I may have actually found this.

http://islandinndiaries.blogspot.com/2011/11/iidd-nov-7th.html

Well, whuddya know!!

Thanks, scalar and McGruff!

I've been looking for this story for years. It was used by Norman Lewis to illustrate the word "inarticulate" in "Word Power Made Easy" that I would pull out after finishing classwork in the seventh grade. A Chinese friend of mine thought it was hilarious and said that was exactly how her father talked. I found a used copy several years ago, but it's a newer edition (1978) and that story has been expunged.

FunTrivialists come through again! I am astounded that this bit of arcana was somewhere to be found and that other families used it in such a similar fashion. I can still see notes on the table or refrigerator with "You no more fit clean room than godsakes" or "You no more fit do dishes..."
Thanks McGruff. That's all I hope.

This article was in the local Long Beach (CA) Independent back around 1954 or 55. A Japanese tourist had written a letter complaining about his lost luggage and the letter was printed in the paper. It went as follows:

Mr. Baggage Master, United States of LAX, Dear Sir. I dam seldom where suitcase are. She no fly. You no more fit to baggage master than for crying out loud. That all I hope.

That is an exact, verbatim quote.

The Milwaukee Journal - Thursday August 20 1953
on page one:

Washington DC - UPI - The AFL Air Line Pilots' Assocaition said Thursday that a member it did not name reported that his company had received this note from a Japanese whose luggae was misplaced:
"Mr Baggageman, United states of Lax. Gentlemen, dear sir:
"I dam seldom where suitcase are. She no fly. You no more fit to baggage master than for crying out loud. That all I hope. What the matter with you?"

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1917&dat=19530824&id=O0ohAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TIEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3009,2909036