"Can You Use Any Money Today?"

In my search for a picture of Ethel Merman to go with my post proclaiming Ethel to have, according to theatre legend, the biggest dick on Broadway, I found another Ethel story.

This one was told to Frank Rich. By Stephen Sondheim.

It's a simple story, really. About Ethel appearing on Loretta Young's tv show, Ethel's love of four-letter words, and Loretta's "swear jar."

Apparently, Ethel belted out some blue language on the set and Loretta said to her...

"Ethel, that'll cost you a quarter."

To which, Ms. Merman replied...

"Look, here's 10 bucks and go fuck yourself."

Ethel Merman: A Broadway belter... a disco diva... catty... foul-mouthed...

Who could ask for anything more, really?