We’ve all done it. You know… double-dipped. We stand around the snack table at a party ready to plunge our half-eaten chip in for the second time… but before the bitten edge scoops up the morsel of dip we’re craving, a friend screeches: “No! Don’t double-dip!” Our foodie dreams plummet into oblivion as we quietly devour the bit in our hand and reach for the next. A common experience, but what most probably don’t realize is that the term “double-dipping” found its origin at the tip of “Seinfeld” writer Peter Mehlman’s pen.
On Monday, Feb. 18, Peter Mehlman visited the College’s campus and presented “Playing with Fire: Moving Between Print and Screen,” a workshop that focused on the distinction between writing for print and television— something of which Mehlman possesses expertise from his established career of writing for print publications and the TV sitcom “Seinfeld.”
Later on Monday evening, Mehlman read from his book, “Mandela Was Late: Odd Things & Essays From the Seinfeld Writer Who Coined Yada, Yada and Made Spongeworthy a Compliment,” in the Brinser Lecture Room. Throughout the reading, chuckles ensued as Mehlman shared his sly wit while reading his comedic article, “Mandela was Late,” which was published in Esquire Magazine. In the article, Mehlman takes on the persona of Nelson Mandela’s parole officer and records a humorous encounter that ensues.
Taking the audience on another interesting journey, Mehlman shared a story about his discovery of the meaning behind “69.” He was eleven, and looking to peers and older kids for clues, but only discovered that it was a verb. “I still don’t know what ‘69’ is,” Mehlman joked. 
As he wrote in the preface of his book, “Mandela Was Late…,” “Some people collect bobble heads. I collect thoughts.” And it was that quirky collection of thoughts which lead Mehlman to success.
After graduating from the University of Maryland, Mehlman wrote for the Washington Post, telling an anecdote on how he received the position. The paper wasn’t hiring white males, so he wrote a cover letter pretending to be a woman. “I don’t usually wear drag, but it really helped with the writing process,” he said. He did eventually reveal the truth, but was still able to receive the job. “It might be outrageous, but reach for your dream job. If you don’t get it then you don’t get it, but if you do that’s even better,” he said. 
In 1982, Mehlman began television writing for SportsBeat with Howard Cosell. From 1985 to 1990, he wrote for national publications including the New York Times Magazine, GQ, Esquire, Mademoiselle and Elle. Mehlman moved to Los Angeles, Calif. in 1989, where he and Larry David started to create “Seinfeld.”  Having never written a sample script, Mehlman sent a humor article he had written for Times Magazine and then received an assignment. This assignment became the first Seinfeld freelance episode, “The Apartment.”
Throughout the course of the show, Mehlman became an executive producer and coined such terms as “Yada Yada,” “spongeworthy,” “shrinkage” and “double-dipping” in well-known episodes.  
Since “Seinfeld,” Mehlman has taken on a variety of new projects. He appeared on-camera for TNT Sports and the Webby nominated “Peter Mehlman’s Narrow World of Sports”—a comedic twist on the normal interviewing format.  Mehlman has written screenplays, a novel and humor pieces for NPR, Esquire, The New York Times, Washington Post and LA Times. Recently, he created an online video, “Blank,” which follows a man named Eugene who has no opinions on anything. Mehlman’s latest collection of essays and articles is “Mandela Was Late: Odd Things; Essays from The Seinfeld Writer Who Coined Yada, Yada and Made Spongeworthy a Compliment” which was published by The Sager Group.
Mehlman’s success is one of comedic proportions, but it seems there could be no other way for him. His talent of brightening up a room with quick wit and creativity is one to be admired. So the next time you’re at a party, chip in hand, ready for the second plunge, know that Peter Mehlman coined the term of your action. Double-dip and enjoy.