Not many people my age know about Nora Ephron. Especially if you aren't into writing, movies, feminism, journalism, screenwriting, comedic wit, or movies starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. Wait, you like one of these things? THEN YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NORA EPHRON. Although Ephron passed away four years ago, her prolific and groundbreaking writing still goes down in literary history. She had the ability to balance her caustic wit while still inspiring millions with her quotes and comments on the human experience. So please, get to know Ephron both personally and impersonally with some of my favorite "Ephronisms."
1. “I love that you get cold when it’s 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you’re looking at me like I’m nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it’s not because I’m lonely, and it’s not because it’s New Year’s Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”-Harry, When Harry Met Sally
Probably the most legendary quote from any romantic comedy that has ever been created. When Billy Crystal runs to Meg Ryan and professes his love in such a unique, personal way, my eyeballs turn into water faucets. If you don't cry during this scene I'm pretty sure you have no feelings.
2. "Oh, how I regret not having worn a bikini for the entire year I was twenty-six. If anyone young is reading this, go, right this minute, put on a bikini, and don’t take it off until you’re thirty-four.”
This quote just exemplifies Ephron's wit and honesty. Anyone who is young and having body image issues, this quote can help you embrace your physicality and appreciate it for what it is.
3. "You can settle for reality, or you can go off, like a fool, and dream another dream.”
Ephron always took risks. When she was a twenty-something year old living in New York City, she climbed up the ranks as a journalist, initially starting as a mail room worker before becoming a full-fledged columnist.
4. “I try to write parts for women that are as complicated and interesting as women actually are.”
Very prevalent in 2016. That's all I have to say.
5. "American society has a remarkable ability to resist change, or to take whatever change has taken place and attempt to make it go away.”
Very prevalent in 2016. Again, that's all I have to say.
6. “One of the things people always say to you if you get upset is, don’t take it personally, but listen hard to what’s going on and, please, I beg you, take it personally. Understand: every attack on Hillary Clinton for not knowing her place is an attack on you. Underneath almost all those attacks are the words: get back, get back to where you once belonged. When Elizabeth Dole pretends that she isn’t serious about her career, that is an attack on you. The acquittal of O.J. Simpson is an attack on you. Any move to limit abortion rights is an attack on you — whether or not you believe in abortion. The fact that Clarence Thomas is sitting on the Supreme Court today is an attack on you.”— ‘96 Wellesley commencement address
Ephron was a pioneer of feminism. Her entire Wellesley commencement address is filled with deep thought provoking sentiments sprinkled with hilarious one-liners about life as a woman.
7. "I look out the window and I see the lights and the skyline and the people on the street rushing around looking for action, love, and the world’s greatest chocolate chip cookie, and my heart does a little dance.”
The relationship between Ephron and New York City is one for the history books. The immense admiration she had for the city was one frequently professed in many of her best selling novels and essays. As someone who loves New York City, this quote just makes sense.
8. "I don’t think any day is worth living without thinking about what you’re going to eat next at all times."
She just gets it.