put the X in Y
- (snowclone) To provide an essential or much-desired element.
1915, Phi Alpha Gamma Quarterly[1], Phi Alpha Gamma fraternity, page 29:Its chauffeur is the good old pal,
Who put the "fun" in funeral.
1967, Typhoo, (commercial)[2]:Who puts the T in Britain? […] Typhoo!
Usage notes
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Ideally, the expression should be a pun, with the longer word (the Y) containing the smaller word (the X) either when pronounced aloud or when spelled out.
