sliced bread

the best thing since sliced bread

A humorous and hyperbolic statement indicating one's belief that something is excellent, especially something new and innovative. These waterproof jeans are the best thing since sliced bread. I don't have to worry about getting soaked!
See also: bread, since, slice, thing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

sliced bread

The last best thing. An American inventor named Otto Rohwedder devised a machine that sliced a loaf of bread into individual slices. First sold in 1928, it was touted as “the greatest forward step in the baking industry since bread was wrapped,” which led to popular phrase “the best thing since sliced bread.” All of which raises the question, what did people say before “sliced bread”? “The best thing since indoor plumbing” was one phrase. And before that?—“since powdered wigs?” “Since moveable type?” “Since fire?”
See also: bread, slice
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • (something) is the new (something)
  • a fast talker
  • (one) could use (something)
  • a horse of another
  • a horse of another color
  • a horse of another colour
  • a/the feel of (something)
  • (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
  • a slew of (something)
  • a straw will show which way the wind blows
References in periodicals archive
Without the filling, all you have with sliced bread is ...
How to upgrade your sandwich with clever twists on these five classics
1456: A retrial acquits Joan of Arc of heresy, 25 years after her death 1550: Chocolate is first introduced to Europe 1668: Isaac Newton receives his MA from Trinity College, Cambridge 1928: Sliced bread is sold for the first time in the US 1947: The alleged Roswell UFO incident occurs 1956: Hancock's Half Hour premieres as a TV show 1967: The Beatles' All You Need is Love is released 1985: Boris Becker (pictured) beats Kevin Curren to become the youngest man to win Wimbledon, aged 17 2005: Terrorist bomb blasts strike London's public transport system during the morning rush hour, killing 52 people 2013: Andy Murray beats Novak Djokovic to become the first British man to win Wimbledon since 1936
ON THIS DAY ..
But when and where did sliced bread actually begin?
JULY 7, 1928
However if, like Jane, you have the full house of menopausal symptoms, HRT is indeed the best thing since sliced bread.
Is it the period for trying out some therapy?
INMATES have won a fight to get rolls served with their evening meals instead of sliced bread.
Inmates on a roll as sliced bread binned
INMATES have won a fight to get rolls served with their evening meals instead of sliced bread. Prisoners at HMP Hull wanted to be able to make chip rolls or sausage baps, rather than sandwiches with "cheap" sliced bread.
Prisoners on roll as sliced bread binned
'The greatest thing since sliced bread' is one of the most popular catchphrases from the 1940s onwards.
Double Roti, Multiple Ideas
The headline on an old news clipping said: "SLICED BREAD IS MADE HERE."
Best thing is the sliced bread
But Renee, 46, must have been feasting on thinly sliced bread as she looks slimmer than when she starred in Bridget Jones's Diary 14 years ago.
OK, Bridget Jones sandwich scene one.. cut to Renee
IF your toaster is too skinny to cope with thick-cut bread, there's a new appliance in town that reckons it's the best thing since sliced bread.
what's new
Jason Gledhill Project Manager at MULTIVAC Australia explains: The real challenge was transporting the sliced bread to the gripper position.
Multivac presented its innovations at Interpack 2014
Today you can treat the family to a loaf of sliced bread from The Co–operative Food's new Loved By Us range ABSOLUTELY FREE.
FREE LOAF; ANOTHER GREAT OFFER SUNDAY MAIL; FOR EVERY READER WORTH 75p
Gordon Polson, a member of the federation, said that they wanted to find a way to reach young women and talk to them about breakfast and the benefits of eating sliced bread without lecturing them.
Now, perfume that smells of freshly buttered toast
Place half the turkey meat on to the bottom buttered sliced bread. Spread over the mayo and top with the spinach.
Make perfect turkey sandwiches; ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE