The beatings will continue until morale improves

The beatings will continue until morale improves is a famous quote of questionable origin. It describes how morale, possibly in a military unit, will be kept high through the use of physical violence.

Origin

The origin of the phrase is largely unknown, causing some to speculate that it is apocryphal. The most commonly cited story for the origin of the phrase come from the Japanese Imperial Navy during World War II . Supposedly, the phrase was first used by commander of the Japanese Submarine Force. The quote was not meant to be taken literally but instead was facetious. Another story relates to a case in Canada over a military officer fired for political reasons in which he uttered a similar quote.

Modern Usage

The phrase is used commonly on t-shirts and bumper stickers. Both ThinkGeek and Buy.com sell merchandise adorned with The Famous quote . Cafe Press also sells items with said phrase. The phrase has made appearances on The Simpsons as well as Life in Hell, both projects of Matt Groening.

See also

• One-liner joke
• Laconic phrase