Podcast Summary: Todo Concostrina – “Excuse my dust”, historia de un epitafio

Date: 26 February 2026
Host: Nieves Concostrina (Cadena SER Podcast)
Co-host: —

Overview:

This episode of “Acontece que no es poco” explores the famous (and falsely attributed) epitaphs of writer Dorothy Parker, using her much-quoted “Excuse my dust” as a case study to debunk persistent myths about what is really inscribed on the graves of witty celebrities. With her characteristic humor, Nieves Concostrina delves into how history and anecdote mix, examining the cultural origins of Parker’s supposed epitaphs, related urban legends, and the strange fates of the ashes of notable figures.

Main Themes and Key Points

1. Context: From Parker’s Epitaph to Urban Myth

• The episode follows up on yesterday’s topic—stories about Dorothy Parker, especially posthumous anecdotes.
• Focuses on the legendary epitaphs “Excuse my dust” (Disculpe mi polvo) for Dorothy Parker and “Perdone que no me levante” for Groucho Marx—both widely accepted, neither strictly true.
• Nieves: “A la escritora y guionista Dorothy Parker le ha pasado con su epitafio algo parecido a lo que le pasó a Groucho Mars con el suyo, que no era suyo.” [01:36]

2. The Telephone Game of Epigraphy

• Discusses how repeated misinformation can become accepted fact—what Goebbels said about lies applies here:
  • Nieves: “Con eso de Perdone que no me levante ha ocurrido lo que afirmó Goebbels. Que una mentira mil veces dicha se convierte en una gran verdad.” [02:42]
  • Nieves: “Es más fácil engañar a la gente que convencerla de que ha sido engañada.” [02:52]
• Both Parker and Groucho, known for their sharp wit, made offhand jokes that became misattributed as their last wishes.

3. The True Story of “Excuse My Dust”

• The real origin: In 1925, Vanity Fair asked celebrities for their preferred epitaphs; Parker, in her signature style, submitted “Excuse my dust”.
  • It was a tongue-in-cheek reference, popular at the time as a humorous bumper sticker or slogan on early automobiles (“Disculpa la polvareda”), playing on the idea that she’d “overtaken” others even in death.
  • Nieves: “Era como reírte del coche al que habías adelantado… Disculpa mi polvo.” [06:53]
  • This phrase also connected to a silent movie called “Excuse my Dust” (1920, directed by Sam Wood).
• The claim that “Excuse my dust” was on Parker's tomb in Baltimore (1988–2021) is true, but only because it was selected by others; she never requested that or any epitaph.
  • Current grave in New York no longer carries the phrase—though the word “polvo” does appear, via real poetry [04:32; 10:58].

4. Other Attributed Epitaphs and their Origins

• Other phrases falsely linked to Parker include:
  • “This is on me”
  • “If you can read this, you’re too close”
  • “Wherever she went, even here, she did it against her will”
  • Most stemmed from jokes, offhand comments, magazine responses, or, in the case of “…too close,” a phrase from early Ford Model Ts, later cited by Lillian Hellman in Parker’s funeral eulogy.
  • Nieves: “Esto se ponía en la parte de atrás de los primeros coches Ford del modelo T… Si puedes leer esto, estás demasiado cerca.” [09:00]
  • Nieves (quoting Hellman): “Prométeme que mi lápida sólo llevará estas palabras: Si puedes leer esto, estás demasiado cerca.” [09:36]

5. What Actually Appears on Parker’s Current Tomb

• Current memorial (from 2021, New York) features genuine verses from her poem “Epitaph for a Darling Lady”:
  • Nieves: “Déjale una rosa joven y roja / vete y ahórrate tu compasión / ella es feliz porque sabe que su polvo es muy bonito.” [10:58]
• The real words reflect her wit, without the “urban legends.”

6. Groucho Marx, Legends, and Burial Myths

• Groucho never had “Perdone que no me levante” on his niche; it’s another myth based on a joke reply.
• Nieves: “Cuando le preguntaron qué pondría en su lápida, también dijo que el epitafio que le pondría su suegra sería ‘Rip. Rip. Hurra.’” [12:01]
• Other tangential stories: Groucho wanting to be buried above Marilyn Monroe (that spot was actually bought by Hugh Hefner).

7. The Curious Fate of Celebrity Ashes

• A diversion into stories of famous people's ashes not being collected or left for years in funeral homes.
  • Example: The King of Burundi’s remains awaiting repatriation, Greta Garbo’s ashes kept out of fear of vandalism, Herbert Marcuse’s ashes lost for 24 years, and Alfred Adler’s sitting 74 years unclaimed.
  • Nieves: “El filósofo alemán Herbert Marcuse…24 años en una estantería por puro despiste familiar.” [14:09]
  • Nieves: “El psiquiatra austriaco Alfred Adler…74 años, en la estantería de una funeraria…” [14:43]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the spread of misinformation:
  • “Es más fácil engañar a la gente que convencerla de que ha sido engañada.” — Nieves [02:52]
• Explaining “Excuse my dust”:
  • “Era una chulería, era como ‘Soy más rápido que tú. Disculpa mi polvo.’” — Nieves [06:53]
• On epitaph humor:
  • “Si puedes leer esto, es que mi novio se ha caído.” — An example shared by Nieves from a biker's t-shirt [10:24]
• On the point of debunking these legends:
  • “No ha tenido otro objetivo que derribar leyendas urbanas que no van a ninguna parte.” — Nieves [11:38]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:34] – The Groucho and Parker epitaph myths explained
• [03:50] – The double meaning behind “Excuse my dust”
• [05:36] – Other misattributed epitaphs and their origins
• [06:53] – Historical context: car slogans and a silent film
• [08:23] – “If you can read this, you’re too close”: Ford Model T and Lillian Hellman’s role
• [10:58] – Authentic verses now on Parker’s grave
• [12:01] – Groucho Marx’s actual burial stories and related jokes
• [13:14] – Cases of uncollected or long-lost celebrity ashes

Tone and Style

• True to “Todo Concostrina” style: witty, anecdotal, irreverent, blending fact-checking with amusing history.
• Frequent use of irony and playful commentary (“hay que rebajamos la intensidad,” “yo te puedo dar hasta 3,000 ideas para epitafios”).
• A relaxed conversational dynamic between Nieves and the co-host, maintaining a light but informative atmosphere.

Takeaway

The legends about witty writers’ epitaphs—Dorothy Parker’s “Excuse my dust” and Groucho Marx’s “Perdone que no me levante”—are delightful but mostly inventions, born from their own jokes. The show’s real mission is to debunk urban myths and to remind us, wittily and gently, that even our remains may not go quite where we expect.