Tracing Quotations
Carol Burnett? Charles Constantine Pise? Jim Furlong? Jim Obert? Art Lewis? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: When the answer to a question is obviously affirmative the respondent can employ the following rhetorical phrase: Is the Pope Catholic?Is the Pope a Catholic? This reply suggests that the original question was ridiculous, but the insult is leavened …
Continue reading “Catchphrase Origin: Is the Pope Catholic?”
Shonda Rhimes? Carol Burnett? Jane Fonda? Anne Lamott? Megan LeBoutillier? Bil Keane? Earl Wilson? Si Cornell? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: A negative response to a request often causes dissatisfaction. Hence the request is repeated many times. Some people do not wish to accept “No” for an answer. The following adage is favored by adamant …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: The Word ‘No’ Is a Complete Sentence”
Carol Burnett? Woody Allen? Tig Notaro? Steve Allen? Lenny Bruce? Bob Newhart? Thomas Hardy? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Some humorists are able to transform disastrous or mortifying episodes in their own lives into hilarious comedy routines. Usually some time must pass before a painful memory is distant enough that it can be transmuted into …
Continue reading “Quote Origin: Comedy Is Tragedy Plus Time”