Quip Origin: Chaucer Is Dead, Spencer Is Dead, So Is Milton, So Is Shakespeare, and I Am Not Feeling Very Well Myself

Mark Twain? Punch magazine? James T. Fields? William P. Clyde? Walt Mason? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Apparently, an effusive admirer of Mark Twain once proclaimed that the famous humorist deserved membership in the pantheon of major writers. Twain’s comical response highlighted his mortality: I was sorry to have my name mentioned as one of …

Quote Origin: If Noah Had Been Truly Wise, He Would Have Swatted Those Two Flies

Helen Castle? Charley Prentice? Walt Mason? Kenneth Richards? Anonymous? Question for Quote Investigator: Noah collected and placed pairs of living creatures onto the ark he constructed according to the famous biblical tale. But not all creatures are looked upon favorably by humankind. The following comical couplet chides Noah for missing a rare opportunity: If Noah …