Tracing Quotations
Samuel Goldwyn? Michael Curtiz? Sheilah Graham? Jones? Scones? Louis Cukela? Fictional? Question for Quote Investigator: There is an unintentionally hilarious remark credited to the movie mogul Samuel Goldwyn. He sent an assistant on an important errand and was angry when the task was badly botched. In exasperation Goldwyn created this classic rebuke: The next time …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: The Next Time I Send a Damn Fool for Something, I Go Myself”
Rabindranath Tagore? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: My daughter remembers a poem, or part of a poem, and she asked me about it. I don’t recognize it and have not been able to find it. Perhaps you can work your magic. April writes hieroglyphs in the sand Wipes them away and forgets Reply from Quote …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: April, Like a Child, Writes Hieroglyphs on Dust with Flowers”
Albert Einstein? Shah of Persia? National Telegraphic Union? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: According to legend, Albert Einstein was once asked to explain radio communication, and he supposedly gave the following answer: You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: The Telegraph is Like a Very, Very Long Cat (or Dog)”
Thomas Edison? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Ebooks have surged in popularity since Amazon introduced the Kindle and Apple released the iPad. Some futurists believe that paper books will be phased out and replaced by electronic books. But I came across a fascinating false prediction made by the most important innovator of the previous century: …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Books Will Soon Be Obsolete in the Schools”
Humphrey Bogart? George Bernard Shaw? W. Somerset Maugham? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: Before Humphrey Bogart played iconic tough and sophisticated characters he appeared in drawing room comedies on Broadway. Supposedly in his first scene as a young actor he came striding onto the stage swinging a racquet and saying: Tennis anyone? Later this line …