Milton Berle? Bob Hope? Eugene P. Bertin? Connie Nelson? Robert Zwickey? Dale Turner? Anonymous? Dear Quote Investigator: The comedian Milton Berle was a major star for decades on radio and then on television. The following insightful adage has been attributed to him: Laughter is an instant vacation. I have also seen these words credited to …
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Relativity: A Hot Stove and A Pretty Girl
Albert Einstein? Helen Dukas? Apocryphal? Dear Quote Investigator: Albert Einstein was asked to explain the abstruse theory of relativity so many times that he reportedly created a comical illustration involving a hot stove and a pretty girl. Would you please explore the provenance of this tale? Quote Investigator: The earliest evidence located by QI was …
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Here Lies the Body of Dorothy Parker. Thank God!
Dorothy Parker? Apocryphal? Dear Quote Investigator: The notable wit Dorothy Parker constructed several epitaphs for herself. I am interested in the following: Here Lies the Body of Dorothy Parker. Thank God! When did she craft this fateful expression? Dear Quote Investigator: QI has already examined a collection of epitaphs that have been ascribed to Dorothy …
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Life Is Either a Daring Adventure or Nothing
Helen Keller? Van Wyck Brooks? Apocryphal? Dear Quote Investigator: An inspirational adage encouraging boldness and audacity has been attributed to Helen Keller who overcame great adversity: Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. Is this accurate? Quote Investigator: Helen Keller did write a closely matching statement; however, the appended phrase “at all” …
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Great Minds Discuss Ideas; Average Minds Discuss Events; Small Minds Discuss People
Eleanor Roosevelt? Charles Stewart? Henry Thomas Buckle? James H. Halsey? Hyman G. Rickover? Anonymous? Dear Quote Investigator: The following adage is largely used to deride people who are preoccupied with gossip: Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. The words are attributed to social activist and former First Lady Eleanor …
You’re Never Too Old, Too Wacky, Too Wild, To Pick Up a Book, and Read to a Child
Theodor Seuss Geisel? Anita Merina? Anonymous? Dear Quote Investigator: There is an enthusiastic quotation about reading that has been attributed to the famous children’s author Dr. Seuss: You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book & read to a child. I haven’t been able to track down the precise book …
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Education Is the Inculcation of the Incomprehensible Into the Ignorant by the Incompetent
John Maynard Keynes? Josiah Stamp? Ernest Brown? Anonymous? Dear Quote Investigator: The most outrageous quotation about education that I have ever heard has been attributed to the famous economist John Maynard Keynes. Here are three versions: 1) Education is the inculcation of the incomprehensible into the ignorant by the incompetent. 2) Education: the inculcation of …
What I Hate About Writing Is the Paperwork
Peter De Vries? Apocryphal? Dear Quote Investigator: There is an amusing quip that is perfect for National Novel Writing Month. Here are two versions: 1) I love being a writer. What I can’t stand is the paperwork. 2) Writing: I like everything about it but the paperwork. This comment has been attributed to the novelist, …
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Always Remember That You Are Absolutely Unique. Just Like Everyone Else
Margaret Mead? Jim Wright? John Peers? Meade? Red Green? Apocryphal? Anonymous? Dear Quote Investigator: A very funny quotation about individuality has been attributed to the influential anthropologist Margaret Mead: Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. I would like to include this in a book I am preparing, but I have …
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What Is Written Without Effort Is In General Read Without Pleasure
Samuel Johnson? Apocryphal? Dear Quote Investigator: Whenever I experience difficulties while writing I recall a remark attributed to Samuel Johnson that is both cautionary and encouraging: What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure. I have not been able to find this statement in a book written by Johnson or by his …
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