Jerome K. Jerome's 1886 book Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow is a collection of his funny articles. It was the author's second book to be published, and it contributed to his rise to prominence as an English comedian.

"It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do. There is no fun in doing nothing when you have nothing to do. Wasting time is merely an occupation then, and a most exhausting one. Idleness, like kisses, to be sweet must be stolen."