Did They Say That?! Trivia

1. Dorothy Parker's legendarily acidic wit found ample expression in her "Constant Reader" column in the "New Yorker" magazine. How did she famously review the whimsical and baby talk laden "House on Pooh Corner"?

From Quiz Ouch! Quotations With Teeth

Answer: "Tonstant Weader fwowed up."

While Parker's biting wit suited her fellow members of the Algonquin Roundtable of New York literati, her take no prisoners attitude sometimes annoyed the powerful sufficiently to engender reprisals. Parker lost at least one column following blowback from Hollywood moguls.

From Quiz The Bowler's Holding, the Batsman's Willey

Answer: eat

Mary Margaret McBride (1899-1976) earned her journalism degree in 1919 and began her career as a print reporter in Ohio and New York before moving into radio in the 1930s. Her shows were very popular, being broadcast over 40+ years (including syndication). --Source: "Kermit Schafer's Blunderful World of Bloopers", 1973

From Quiz Whoever "They" Are

Answer: Men and nations

Abba Eban (1915-2002) served in a number of governmental and diplomatic posts, most famously as Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations and Vice-President of the General Assembly. Raised and educated in the United Kingdom, he displayed a magnificent command of the English language - and several others. Henry Kissinger once said of Mr. Eban's speaking style, "Sentences poured forth in melifluous constructions complicated enough to test the listener's intelligence and simultaneously leave him transfixed by the speaker's virtuousity."

From Quiz Celebrity Spoonerisms

Answer: Dean Martin

Dean Martin, famous for either performing drunk or seeming to perform drunk, actually took the quote a step further and said, "I would rather have a free bottle in front of me than a pre-frontal lobotomy." The original line has a long and mysterious history. In addition to author and bon vivant Dorothy Parker, radio personality Fred Allen, and movie star W.C. Fields, the quote has been attributed to comedian Groucho Marx, musician Tom Waits, and television comic Steve Allen.

From Quiz Did I Say That Out Loud? - Epic Faux-Pas!

Answer: Gerald Ratner

Gerald, you plonker! Within days, around £500 million had been wiped off the value of his company after this colossal gaffe in 1991. He added that "We sell cut glass decanters and six glasses on a silver tray, all for £4.95" and when asked how he can sell for such a low price he stated that it was because they were "total crap". In a further attempt to completely destroy his company, he stated that "Our ear-rings cost less than a Marks and Spencer sandwich and won't last as long". These gaffes were so widely reported at the time that a new phrase entered the English language. Whenever anyone commits such an enormous error of judgement they are said to be guilty of 'doing a Ratner'!

From Quiz They Said What?

Answer: William McKinley

After having heard the voice of God, President William McKinley decided that the Filipinos and the Philippine Islands needed to be Christianized. Regretfully, this was carried out with the use of US troops and Springfield rifles instead of missionaries and Bibles. He also overlooked the fact that the Spaniards had already made a very effective job of converting the Philippines to Christianity.

From Quiz Let Them Eat Cake!

Answer: Voltaire

The quote actually comes from a book called 'Friends Of Voltaire' by Evelyn Beatrice Hall. Voltaire himself never said it. However, there is a similar quote which is from Voltaire himself, from his 'Essay on Tolerance': "Think for yourselves, and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too."

From Quiz Ignorance at Its Finest

Answer: "Only if the Bible is in error am I wrong"

Though many people say the Bible is infallible, only a very select few people say that they themselves are equal to it. Whisenant wrote the books "88 Reasons Why the Rapture will be in 1988" and "On Borrowed Time". After 1988, Whisenant went on to predict the Rapture in 1989, 1994, 1996, and 1997.

From Quiz Why is Your Foot in My Mouth?

Answer: "I never really wanted to go to Japan. Simply because I don't like eating fish. And I know that's very popular out there in Africa."

Britney also made the memorable geographically-challenged comment "I get to go to overseas places, like Canada". The other choices are all actual quotes, too. Jessica Simpson is proud to come from Texas, a state that she thinks has no anorexia. Christina Aguilera asked the question about the location of the Cannes Film Festival. And, Paris Hilton made the comment suggesting she's never heard of the retailer Wal-mart.

From Quiz "Impossible!" Who Said That?

Answer: Walt Disney

Born December 5th 1901, Walter Elias Disney co-founded Walt Disney Productions with his brother Roy. A successful film producer, animator, entertainer, and screenwriter, Walt Disney's vision touches the lives of countless millions through Disney entertainment and the franchised theme parks his company created.

From Quiz Amusing Quotes from History's Great Figures

Answer: "Now at least I know where he is"

Alexandra, grieving beside the king's deathbed, made this remark to Lord Esher. Edward VII lived from 1841 to 1910 and was King for the last ten years of his life only, following the death of his mother, Queen Victoria, in January 1901. When Edward died in 1910, these two quotes from the time perhaps indicate the personality of the man: Lord Esher wrote privately that Edward was "kind and debonair and not undignified - but too human" and his sorrowing son George V wrote in his diary that he had lost "his best friend and the best of fathers ... I never had a cross word with him in my life. I am heart-broken and overwhelmed with grief".

From Quiz I Can't Believe It's Not Banter

Answer: Lady Astor

Born in America and marrying the 2nd Viscount Astor, Nancy Astor was famous not only for being the first female member of parliament, but also for her biting wit. Until, that is, she met her match in Sir Winston.

From Quiz Are You Sure They Said That?

Answer: Yogi Berra, to fans in St. Louis

Yogi Berra was born in 1925 in the neighborhood called "The Hill" in St Louis,MO, so was Joe Garagiola. Yogi played as a NY Yankee, managed NY Yankees, NY Mets, coached NY Yankees, Houston Astros. As manager, he won pennants in both AL and NL and elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. Yes, he is know for many of his quotes and in 1947 the quote of this question came from him. It was made to the fans at the St Louis ball field, who were there celebrating "Yogi Berra Day". In the question, the word "slide" is a baseball term. Bob Hope, entertained the troops from WWII to Operation Desert Storm. He died in 2003 at 100 years old. Marilyn Monroe sang "Happy Birthday" to then President John F Kennedy on May 19,1962, with whom she had a brief affair and is rumored to have had one with Robert F Kennedy. Neil Armstrong, born in Ohio, made his first space flight on Gemini 8 in 1966. He is better known for his Apollo 11 mission in 1969, when he became the first human to step onto the moon's surface."That's one step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind."

From Quiz Comical Quotes

Answer: Dan Quayle, former U.S. Vice-President

Mr Quayle served under U.S. President George H. W. Bush as the 44th Vice-President of the United States, and seemed to have a penchant for making comical statements such as that given above. Chicago of course is not a state at all, but the largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois.

From Quiz Excuses, Excuses

Answer: Michael Jackson

This was Jacko's excuse for dangling his third child - nicknamed "Blanket" - out of a third-floor window. The incident took place as the singer responded to fans who were waiting outside the Hotel Adlon in Berlin in November 2002.

From Quiz It's Time For a Laugh

Answer: Harry S Truman

Harry S. Truman said this quote in April, 1958. Truman was the 33rd president of the United States of America. His middle name, which is simply the letter "S", was chosen as a means to please both of his grandfathers, Anderson Shippe Truman and Solomon Young. The "S" did not stand for anything. Truman served in the Missouri Army National Guard from 1905 to 1911. His eyesight was poor, but he passed the eye tests, necessary to enlist, by secretly memorizing the eye charts. His vision was actually 20/50 in his right eye and 20/40 in his left eye, which was unacceptable, but with his memorization, he did manage to be approved to enlist.

From Quiz Insult to Injury

Answer: Put him on the bill!

Although this story is widely quoted in the British press to illustrate various things (amongst them "The Good Old Days!") I can find no definitive citation for this episode.

From Quiz Famous Put-Downs

Answer: Woody Allen

Woody Allen is obsessive about New York, but he clearly doesn't like California at all, particularly Los Angeles. My main impression was that it has everything, but mostly everything is a long way from where you happen to be.

From Quiz Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word

Answer: Bill Clinton

Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States (January 1993 to January 2001) had enjoyed a charmed political career that took him all the way from Hope, Arkansas, via the Governorship of that State to the White House. His career, though, was dogged by allegations of financial impropriety and sexual misbehaviour. He admitted having had extramarital relationships with Monica Lewinsky (while President) and Gennifer Flowers (while Governor of Arkansas). The apology was made three weeks after his affair with Lewinsky became public (in 1998). Some of these questions were suggested by an article written by Matthew Parris in 'The Times', October 2008.

From Quiz Insults

Answer: Nancy Astor and Winston Churchill

This conversation occurred over breakfast at Cliveden, the Astor's magnificent country house. As well as being the first woman to sit in the House of Commons, Lady Astor was a renowned society hostess who enjoyed posing at the top of the stairs, dripping with jewels to welcome her guests. She made a point of inviting people with whom she disagreed, Churchill being one, and Sylvia Pankhurst, the suffragette being another. She was also known for saying, 'I married beneath me. All women do.'

From Quiz Did They Really Say That?

Answer: James Ussher (Archbishop of Armagh, 17th Century)

James Ussher (his name was also spelled Usher) was a Churchman acceptable to both King Charles I (who promoted him to Bishop of Meath and later Archbishop of Armagh) and later to Oliver Cromwell. He was a noted biblical scholar and he was the author of a work entitled "Annals of the Old and New Testament".

From Quiz Witty, Humorous Comments

Answer: Bob Dole

Senator Dole's reputation prior to his unsuccessful presidential run in 1996 was largely the image he acquired in his 1976 vice presidential campaign, that of an attacker, somewhat ruthless and vicious. However, he made several appearances on late-night television after his defeat, demonstrating a gentler, more humorous side of Bob Dole. He since has published multiple books demonstrating the use of humor by himself and American presidents in their public lives.

From Quiz Possible, Impossible and Percentages Quotes

Answer: Yogi Berra

Lawrence Peter 'Yogi' Berra was born in 1925, and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. He has also been quoted as saying, "It's deja vu all over again", and, "When you come to a fork in the road ... take it", and also, "I didn't really say everything I said."

From Quiz More Married Humour!

Answer: Rodney Dangerfield

Other quotes by Rodney Dangerfield, who found success as a comedian late in life, include: "My wife was afraid of the dark...then she saw me naked and now she's afraid of the light," and, "I haven't spoken to my wife in years, I didn't want to interrupt her!"

From Quiz Unintentional Humorous Quotes and Advertisements!

Answer: Ronald Reagan

Jack Warner was quoted as saying, about Ronald Reagan, "It's our fault, we should have given him better parts" when he heard that 'Ronnie' had been elected governor of California and Ronald Reagan himself said, in 1973, "The thought of being President frightens me and I do not think I want the job!" ~Ronald Reagan in 1973

From Quiz Did I Really Say That?

Answer: Neville Chamberlain

I think Neville got his wires crossed. Within twelve months of uttering these words, on his return from the Appeasement talks with Hitler, the world was plunged into bloody war. The 'second time' refers to Disraeli's 1878 visit to the Congress of Berlin.

From Quiz Married Humour!

Answer: Cher

Well, Cher should know, she's had a little bit of experience in the marriage stakes.

From Quiz Cynical Quotes [2]

Answer: Friedrich Nietzsche

The U.S. version is "My mind is made up. Don't confuse me with the facts."

From Quiz Who Said What About Whom?

Answer: Clive James

Clive James, who resides in England, is an interviewer of some note, in and out of the UK. Marilyn grew up through a series of foster homes, married at sixteen, studied acting in Hollywood and the rest, as they say, is history!

From Quiz Big Mistake!

Answer: Herostratos

In 356 BC Herostratos, sometimes referred to as a terrorist these days, burnt down the temple of Artemis in Ephesos. What he achieved is known as herostratical fame.

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