Tracing Quotations
Sydney Smith? Punch? Evan Esar? Apocryphal? Question for Quote Investigator: A disagreement between two people is sometimes caused by a difference in underlying assumptions. Two individuals arguing from different premises are likely to reach different conclusions. This notion can be comically transformed via a pun on the word “premises” which can mean “assumptions” or “residences”. …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: They Will Never Agree. They Argue from Different Premises”
Punch Magazine? Judy Magazine? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: A famous one-panel comic shows a lowly curate who is visiting the house of a powerful bishop for breakfast. The bishop notices that the curate has unfortunately been served a spoiled egg, and the curate’s response is overly polite and deferential. Here are two versions: A …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: The Curate’s Egg: Parts of It Are Excellent”
Creator: “Punch”, London humor magazine Context: On July 14, 1855 “Punch” published the following brief item containing the quotation: A SHORT CUT TO METAPHYSICS. What is Matter?—Never mind. What is Mind?—No matter. Related Article: Those Who Mind Don’t Matter, and Those Who Matter Don’t Mind Update History: On April 9, 2025 the format of the …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: What Is Matter?—Never Mind. What Is Mind?—No Matter”