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[onlyeljen]

I just wonder... can you take a patent on a saying? 

[DogDayPM 9er9er9er]

I just wonder... can you take a patent on a saying? 

"Is sayings patentable?"

I tried to patent the saying, "Is our children learning?" and found out that patents are not for phrases or sayings but for inventions of actual "things" and for methods of making or using those invented things.

A long enough "saying" or phrase that is original and that you yourself create and write down might be protected under copyright law.

Also, a "saying" or phrase that is used in connection with selling products/services can be protected under trademark law.

[ChrisWhewell]

I just wonder... can you take a patent on a saying? 

If you have a little jingle like "Things go better with ____", etc, such jingles have the potential to be protectable as service mark or sometimes as a trademark.  If you're thinking of protecting some phraseology and expecting maybe some other will pay you money in the future for uttering or printing it, I'd suggest you move on to other things.  

[JimIvey]

If the saying is for marketing, you need to look into trademarks.  You can't get a trademark without actually using it in the marketing of goods or services, so there's really no protection if you're hoping to make something up and protect it before approaching companies.

If the saying is just an original expression that you'd like to market yourself, you need to look into copyrights.  If the saying is really short, chances are that it's not original.  You can't copyright an expression that isn't original.

There are trademark and copyright forums in here.  They're separate from patents.

Regards.