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Joined: Sep 2000
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enthusiast
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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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Ha! I love it.


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- 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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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


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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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"Too many quotations" was the version I heard.

Bingley


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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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according to Monty Python

Oh 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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