Keyes Rules of Misquotation
Axiom 1. Any quotation that can be altered will be.
+ Corollary 1A: Vivid words hook misquotes in the mind.
+ Corollary 1B: Numbers are hard to keep straight.
+ Corollary 1C: Small changes can have a big impact (or: what a
difference an a makes).
+ Corollary 1D: If noted figures don't say what needs to be said,
we'll say it for them.
+ Corollary 1E: Journalists are a less than dependable source of
accurate quotes.
+ Corollary 1F: Famous dead people make excellent commentators on
current events.
Axiom 2. Famous quotes need famous mouths.
+ Corollary 2A: Well-known messengers get credit for clever comments
they report from less celebrated mouths.
+ Corollary 2B: Particularly quotable figures receive more than their
share of quotable quotes.
+ Corollary 2C: Comments made about someone might as well have been
said by that person.
+ Corollary 2D: Who you think said something may depend on where you
live.
+ Corollary 2E: Vintage quotes are considered to be in the public
domain.
+ Corollary 2F: In a pinch, any orphan quote can be called a Chinese
proverb.
Axiom 1. Any quotation that can be altered will be.
+ Corollary 1A: Vivid words hook misquotes in the mind.
+ Corollary 1B: Numbers are hard to keep straight.
+ Corollary 1C: Small changes can have a big impact (or: what a
difference an a makes).
+ Corollary 1D: If noted figures don't say what needs to be said,
we'll say it for them.
+ Corollary 1E: Journalists are a less than dependable source of
accurate quotes.
+ Corollary 1F: Famous dead people make excellent commentators on
current events.
Axiom 2. Famous quotes need famous mouths.
+ Corollary 2A: Well-known messengers get credit for clever comments
they report from less celebrated mouths.
+ Corollary 2B: Particularly quotable figures receive more than their
share of quotable quotes.
+ Corollary 2C: Comments made about someone might as well have been
said by that person.
+ Corollary 2D: Who you think said something may depend on where you
live.
+ Corollary 2E: Vintage quotes are considered to be in the public
domain.
+ Corollary 2F: In a pinch, any orphan quote can be called a Chinese
proverb.
Related:
- Well-known messengers get credit for clever comments they
report from less celebrated mouths.
Axiom 2, Corollary 2A -- Ralph Keyes, The Rules of... - Particularly quotable figures receive more than their share
of quotable quotes.
Axiom 2, Corollary 2B -- Ralph Keyes, The Rules of... - Journalists are a less than dependable source of accurate quotes.
Axiom 1, Corollary 1E -- Ralph Keyes, The Rules of... - In a pinch, any orphan quote can be called a Chinese proverb.
Axiom 2, Corollary 2F -- Ralph Keyes, The Rules of... - Vintage quotes are considered to be in the public domain.
Axiom 2, Corollary 2E -- Ralph Keyes, The Rules of... - Famous dead people make excellent commentators on current events.
Axiom 1, Corollary 1F -- Ralph Keyes, The Rules of... - Comments made about someone might as well have been said by that person.
Axiom 2, Corollary 2C -- Ralph Keyes, The Rules of... - If noted figures don't say what needs to be said, we'll say it for them.
Axiom 1, Corollary 1D -- Ralph Keyes, The Rules of... - Small changes can have a big impact (or: what a difference an a makes).
Axiom 1, Corollary 1C -- Ralph Keyes, The Rules of...
From the same category:
- If it's easily fixed,
it don't matter whose fault it was... - Interchangeable parts won't.
Laws of Assembly,... - Don't be conspicuous. In the combat zone, it draws fire.
Out of the combat zone, it draws sergeants. Murphy's... - Design flaws travel in groups.
Fifth Law of... - If it should exist, it doesn't.
Arnold's First Law of...
