The phrase "There's a sucker born every minute" is often attributed to P.T. Barnum, the famous 19th-century American showman and founder of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. However, there is no evidence that Barnum actually said this phrase. The origin of the phrase predates Barnum, with variations like "there's a fool born every minute" found in print as early as 1806. It was commonly used among salesmen, gamblers, and confidence tricksters in the late 19th century as a cynical comment on human gullibility. Some sources suggest other possible originators, such as Joseph "Paper Collar Joe" Bessimer or a banker named David Hannum, who referred to Barnum's part in the Cardiff Giant hoax. The phrase became well-known among con men and gamblers rather than being a direct quote from Barnum himself.
