The old attitude toward newspapers was that they were completely disposable - today's newspaper is tomorrow's fish wrap.

The quote by Ray Guy reflects on the traditional attitude toward newspapers as being completely disposable. The phrase "today's newspaper is tomorrow's fish wrap" humorously captures the idea that newspapers were once seen as temporary and quickly discarded items, often used for practical purposes like wrapping fish after a day’s reading. This attitude suggests a lack of lasting value or permanence attributed to newspapers in everyday life.

Guy’s statement points to a broader commentary on how media, especially print journalism, was historically undervalued and considered ephemeral. Despite containing important information, newspapers were often treated as short-lived commodities rather than enduring sources of knowledge or cultural artifacts. This reflects a mindset that viewed news primarily as fleeting, daily updates rather than lasting records.

The origin of this quote comes from Ray Guy, a renowned sportswriter and humorist, who often used wit to comment on social and cultural phenomena. His use of the phrase captures a common sentiment from earlier times about the transient nature of print news and the casual way it was handled.

In essence, the quote highlights how attitudes toward media consumption have evolved. It encourages reflection on the changing value we assign to information and the medium through which we receive it, especially in the digital age where news is no longer confined to the physical pages of a newspaper.