Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water.

This humorous quote by W. C. Fields is a classic example of his dry, sarcastic wit and love for comedic exaggeration. When he says, “Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water,” he’s poking fun at the idea that wine—or more broadly, alcohol—is such a staple in his lifestyle that its absence is almost a hardship. The joke lies in the absurdity of framing food and water, the actual necessities of life, as somehow insufficient.

Fields, a renowned comedian, actor, and writer of early 20th-century American cinema, was known for playing grumpy, eccentric characters who often battled with bad luck and relied heavily on alcohol-fueled humor. This quote captures the exaggerated persona he cultivated: someone who viewed wine or liquor as essential to surviving daily life—even on a safari in the wild. His mock lament over missing a corkscrew adds a layer of ironic luxury to what should be a rugged outdoor adventure.

The origin of the quote comes from Fields' numerous comedic routines and screenplays where he often referenced his supposed dislike of sobriety, preference for leisure, and tendency toward overindulgence. Though often delivered in jest, these lines helped define his screen character and became part of his enduring comedic legacy.

Ultimately, the quote is a clever satire on human excess and our ability to dramatize the absence of comfort. Fields turns a minor inconvenience into a comic crisis, making us laugh at how priorities can become humorously skewed. It’s a reminder of his brilliance in using subtle exaggeration to reflect on life’s little absurdities.