Winston Churchill? Harold Nicolson? Paddy Leigh Fermor? Anthony Montague Browne? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: According to legend a British statesman was once criticized for disregarding naval tradition. The statesman responded with the following zinger:  The only traditions of the Royal Navy are rum, sodomy, and the lash. This line has been attributed to Winston … Continue reading Quote Origin: The Only Traditions of the Royal Navy Are Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash