Quotation of the Week 24

Today on BBC Radio Tom Butler, the Bishop of Southwark, conjugated the verb “I am principled”:
I am principled
You are stubborn
They are bigoted

I think that the above has immense historical value, especially if you are studying the History of Ideas.

4 Comments

1. 

   Terrence Lockyer July 13, 2010, 11:49 am Reply

   Such “irregular verbs” were a running joke in the BBC political comedy Yes Minister. One example:
   I give informal briefings,
   You leak,
   He’s been charged under the Official Secrets Act.

2. 

   a reader July 14, 2010, 6:17 am Reply

   That’s hilarious!

   There’s also an episode in Yes Minister where Bernard gives a wonderful explanation of Trojan horses not being Trojan but Greek – and delves into Greek conjugations (and Latin). Sir Humphrey’s face in that scene is wicked funny.

   • 

     Terrence Lockyer July 14, 2010, 11:25 am Reply

     That one is towards the end of this clip:

3. 

   sam October 17, 2011, 7:46 pm Reply

   Only problem is that it isn’t a verb. Maybe the bishop should check his grammar…