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Joined: Sep 2000
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enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2000
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I wonder what a modern equivalent for Tom, Dick and Harry would be.
Reminds me of a poster ad for Ouzo from a few years ago:
<brand name> - for every Con, Nick and <sorry, I've forgotten the third name - anyone else remember it?>
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
- for every Con, Nick and <sorry, I've forgotten the third name -
Con nick and Harry: Harry Connick? For every Con, Nick and Patrick? But I thought ouzo was Greek.
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Joined: Apr 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
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A search of The Concordance of Great Books (url: http://www.concordance.com/ ) gives this reference to Henry IV part 1, act 2 scene 4: Sirrah, I am sworn brother |1H4-2-4| ** to a leash of drawers; and can call them all by |1H4-2-4| ** their christen names, as Tom, Dick, and Francis. |1H4-2-4| ** They take it already upon their salvation, that |1H4-2-4| ** though I be but the prince of Wales, yet I am king |1H4-2-4| ** of courtesy; and tell me flatly I am no proud Jack, |1H4-2-4| ** like Falstaff, but a Corinthian, a lad of mettle, a |1H4-2-4| ** good boy, by the Lord, so they call me, and when I |1H4-2-4| ** am king of England, I shall command all the good |1H4-2-4| ** lads in Eastcheap. Since Prince Hal is speaking, I suppose he couldn't really use Tom, Dick or Harry. I do remember reading that versions of the phrase go back even further, but I can't remember my source. Bingley
Bingley
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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Posts: 1,981 |
Reminds me of the person who was asked what they thought of their first trip to see Hamlet on stage.
"Too many clichés" they replied.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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"Too many quotations" was the version I heard.
Bingley
Bingley
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old hand
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old hand
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I heard the old lady liked it because Hamlet used so many famous quotes...
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Joined: Oct 2000
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veteran
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veteran
Joined: Oct 2000
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according to Monty PythonOh yes, a classic indeed, paul. Has to be said that some Monty P hasn't weathered quite so well, though - heard the sketch about Australian wines? Stuff along the lines of: "Chateau Bleu Woggawogga - has a bouquet like an Aborigine's armpit... This isn't a wine for drinking, this is a wine for laying down and avoiding... Another fine fighting wine..." Very funny, but singularly inapt these days !
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