Painterly white bowl of cornflakes and splashing milk with a red cherry perched on the rim.

Original artwork, not a still

Dwight MacDonald

Doris Day is as wholesome as a bowl of cornflakes and at least as sexy.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The comparison starts by calling Doris Day wholesome, then makes a bowl of cornflakes the measure of her sexual appeal. The apparent compliment turns into a put-down. Its dry humor relies on treating a bland breakfast as an unexpectedly deflating standard for glamour.

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