Who said a picture tells a thousand words

A similar idea was seen very widely in the USA from the early 20th century, in adverts for Doan's Backache Kidney Pills , which included a picture of a man holding his back and the text "Every picture tells a story".

Neither of the above led directly to 'a picture is worth a thousand words'. Who it was that married 'worth ten thousand words' with 'picture' isn't known, but we do know that the phrase is American in origin.

It began to be used quite frequently in the US press from around the s onward. The earliest example I can find is from the text of an instructional talk given by the newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane to the Syracuse Advertising Men's Club , in March This little essay clocks in at words. Perhaps I should have drawn half a picture instead? Still, credit for modern use of the phrase is usually given to Frederick R.

Barnard or Fred R. Because of this, sometimes the expression is incorrectly attributed to Confucius. In the same publication, around the same time period, the phrase one look is worth a thousand words can be found. A picture is worth a thousand words is considered both an idiom and a proverb. Idioms have figurative rather than literal meanings. Here are just a few of the most common idioms used today:.

His boss gave him the ax. Of course, now you know that like other idioms, the phrase is used more figuratively, to convey the notion that an image can often more effectively and more succinctly say something than lots of words can with lots not being defined as a specific number. Proverbs are short, common phrases or sayings that impart advice or share a universal truth.

Interestingly, some people debate the truth of the above statement, with many arguing that the use of both images and words is the best way to get something across. Proverbs are also called adages, aphorisms, and maxims. Barnard, who published a article on the effectiveness of graphics in advertising with the title, "One look is worth a thousand words.

It is not entirely clear if there is an Asian expression along these lines, but even if there is, there is no evidence that it traces to Confucius. What is clear is that variations on this expression long pre-date Barnard's use of it.

For example: "One timely deed is worth ten thousand words. Turgenev, It seems that Bernard did not even originate the particular version of the phrase that we use today given that phrases. It's worth a thousand words. A powerful novel of two unconventional American sisters who volunteer at the front during World War I.

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