Meaning of the quote

Phyllis Diller, a famous American comedian, was saying that while housework may not actually kill you, it's still risky to do too much of it. She's joking that it's better to be safe and not overdo the cleaning and chores around the house, since you never know what could happen. The quote has a humorous, lighthearted tone, suggesting that it's not worth pushing yourself too hard with housework.

About Phyllis Diller

Phyllis Diller was a pioneering American comedian known for her unconventional stage persona, self-deprecating humor, and unique appearance. She was one of the first female comics to become a household name and a trailblazer for women in stand-up comedy. Diller also pursued acting, voice work, and various other creative endeavors throughout her long and successful career.

More about the author

More quotes from Phyllis Diller

A bachelor is a guy who never made the same mistake once.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

There’s a new medical crisis. Doctors are reporting that many men are having allergic reactions to latex condoms. They say they cause severe swelling. So what’s the problem?

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

Whatever you may look like, marry a man your own age – as your beauty fades, so will his eyesight.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

Burt Reynolds once asked me out. I was in his room.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

His finest hour lasted a minute and a half.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

You know you’re old if your walker has an airbag.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

Our dog died from licking our wedding picture.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

My photographs don’t do me justice – they just look like me.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

If it weren’t for baseball, many kids wouldn’t know what a millionaire looked like.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

The reason women don’t play football is because 11 of them would never wear the same outfit in public.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

Housework can’t kill you, but why take a chance?

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can’t see him laughing.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

I want my children to have all the things I couldn’t afford. Then I want to move in with them.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

The real reason your pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can’t see him laughing at you.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

Tranquilizers work only if you follow the advice on the bottle – keep away from children.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

My recipe for dealing with anger and frustration: set the kitchen timer for twenty minutes, cry, rant, and rave, and at the sound of the bell, simmer down and go about business as usual.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

Aim high, and you won’t shoot your foot off.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

It’s a good thing that beauty is only skin deep, or I’d be rotten to the core.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

We spend the first twelve months of our children’s lives teaching them to walk and talk and the next twelve telling them to sit down and shut up.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

There’s so little money in my bank account, my scenic checks show a ghetto.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

Best way to get rid of kitchen odors: Eat out.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

Any time three New Yorkers get into a cab without an argument, a bank has just been robbed.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

My cooking is so bad my kids thought Thanksgiving was to commemorate Pearl Harbor.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

I’m eighteen years behind in my ironing.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

I asked the waiter, ‘Is this milk fresh?’ He said, ‘Lady, three hours ago it was grass.’

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

I admit, I have a tremendous sex drive. My boyfriend lives forty miles away.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

You know you’re old if they have discontinued your blood type.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

I’ve been asked to say a couple of words about my husband, Fang. How about short and cheap?

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

I buried a lot of my ironing in the back yard.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

Always be nice to your children because they are the ones who will choose your rest home.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

Most children threaten at times to run away from home. This is the only thing that keeps some parents going.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

Old age is when the liver spots show through your gloves.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)

My mother-in-law had a pain beneath her left breast. Turned out to be a trick knee.

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917-2012)