Dubious Quotations
Amazing, isn't it, how often we find that famous people never said some of the clever, funny or horrid things attributed to them?
Al Gore vs. Christianity
Alleged quotation from a book written by Al Gore derides Christians as "a blight on the environment."
Alleged quotation from a book written by Al Gore derides Christians as "a blight on the environment."
Albert Einstein Proves the Existence of God
In this emailed anecdote by an unknown author, a university student named Albert Einstein humiliates his atheist professor by proving that God exists.
In this emailed anecdote by an unknown author, a university student named Albert Einstein humiliates his atheist professor by proving that God exists.
Barack Obama: 'I've Visited 57 States'
Partly true: Forwarded email quotes a campaign-weary Barack Obama saying he has campaigned (or plans to campaign) in 'all 57 states.' Lo and behold, allegedly, it turns out there are 57 Islamic states.
Partly true: Forwarded email quotes a campaign-weary Barack Obama saying he has campaigned (or plans to campaign) in 'all 57 states.' Lo and behold, allegedly, it turns out there are 57 Islamic states.
Caesar: 'Beware the Leader Who Bangs the Drums of War...'
Caesar didn't say it, Shakespeare didn't write it, but everyone's quoting it -- a passage allegedly summarizing Julius Caesar's true opinion of warmongering heads of state.
Caesar didn't say it, Shakespeare didn't write it, but everyone's quoting it -- a passage allegedly summarizing Julius Caesar's true opinion of warmongering heads of state.
Charlie Daniels: Open Letter to the Hollywood Bunch
Circulating by email: Acrimonious open letter to antiwar celebrities penned by prowar celebrity Charlie Daniels. It's authentic.
Circulating by email: Acrimonious open letter to antiwar celebrities penned by prowar celebrity Charlie Daniels. It's authentic.
Colin Powell on U.S. 'Empire Building'
Alleged response from U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to alleged challenge on American "empire building" from the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Alleged response from U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to alleged challenge on American "empire building" from the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Dame Edna Insults Hispanics
Email petition decries ethnically insensitive remarks about Hispanics in a satirical Vanity Fair column called "Ask Dame Edna."
Email petition decries ethnically insensitive remarks about Hispanics in a satirical Vanity Fair column called "Ask Dame Edna."
David Letterman on 'Spoiled' Americans
Article attributed to late-night talk show host David Letterman labels the majority of Americans "ungrateful, spoiled brats" for saying they're unhappy with the current direction of the country.
Article attributed to late-night talk show host David Letterman labels the majority of Americans "ungrateful, spoiled brats" for saying they're unhappy with the current direction of the country.
General Giap on How U.S. Lost the Vietnam War
Bogus passage allegedly penned by former North Vietnam General Vo Nguyen Giap attributes U.S. loss of the Vietnam War to homefront disruption caused by biased media.
Bogus passage allegedly penned by former North Vietnam General Vo Nguyen Giap attributes U.S. loss of the Vietnam War to homefront disruption caused by biased media.
George Carlin: Bad American?
This politically incorrect email rant is attributed to famed comedian George Carlin. Some parts sound like him, but did he really write it?
This politically incorrect email rant is attributed to famed comedian George Carlin. Some parts sound like him, but did he really write it?
George Carlin's Hurricane Rules
A sarcastic rant purportedly authored by comedian George Carlin (or New Orleans musician Bill Boudreux, depending on version) outlining "rules" for coping in the aftermath of a hurricane.
A sarcastic rant purportedly authored by comedian George Carlin (or New Orleans musician Bill Boudreux, depending on version) outlining "rules" for coping in the aftermath of a hurricane.
George Carlin's Solution to Save Gasoline
Statement falsely attributed to comedian George Carlin says the best way to cut down on gasoline consumption in the U.S. is to deport 11 million illegal immigrants
Statement falsely attributed to comedian George Carlin says the best way to cut down on gasoline consumption in the U.S. is to deport 11 million illegal immigrants
Good Luck, Mr. Gorsky
Did Neil Armstrong's moon landing speech contain a secret naughty reference?
Did Neil Armstrong's moon landing speech contain a secret naughty reference?
Gorsky Revisited: 'Are You SURE It Was a Hoax?'
A reader writes: 'I absolutely recall hearing these comments on the radio, in 1995, as told by Armstrong following the press conference. Either what I heard was an audio hoax, he was just kidding, or it is the truth. Are you SURE it was a hoax?'
A reader writes: 'I absolutely recall hearing these comments on the radio, in 1995, as told by Armstrong following the press conference. Either what I heard was an audio hoax, he was just kidding, or it is the truth. Are you SURE it was a hoax?'
G.W. Bush Quote: How 'Too Much Education' Affects Voting Preferences
Attributed to G.W. Bush: "As people do better, they start voting like Republicans, unless they have too much education. Then they vote Democratic, which proves that there can be too much of a good thing. After all, it is easier to govern sheep because they don't have to think."
Attributed to G.W. Bush: "As people do better, they start voting like Republicans, unless they have too much education. Then they vote Democratic, which proves that there can be too much of a good thing. After all, it is easier to govern sheep because they don't have to think."
Hillary vs. Arnold
Did Hillary Clinton and Arnold Schwarzenegger exchange insulting witticisms during a chance encounter at a party?
Did Hillary Clinton and Arnold Schwarzenegger exchange insulting witticisms during a chance encounter at a party?
Hugh Downs: Obama Will Lose
Circulating online, an op-ed piece falsely attributed to Hugh Downs predicts Barack Obama will lose the 2008 presidential election because he is a "flake."
Circulating online, an op-ed piece falsely attributed to Hugh Downs predicts Barack Obama will lose the 2008 presidential election because he is a "flake."
Hunter Thompson: 'Where Thieves and Pimps Run Free...'
In which we attempt to nail down the origin of a quote attributed to Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson and ascertain which of the many versions - if any - is authentic.
In which we attempt to nail down the origin of a quote attributed to Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson and ascertain which of the many versions - if any - is authentic.
Janet Reno Defines 'Cultist'
Did Janet Reno suggest on national TV that virtually all practicing Christians are cultists?
Did Janet Reno suggest on national TV that virtually all practicing Christians are cultists?
Jay Leno Hits the Nail on the Head
Emailed article attributed to Tonight Show host Jay Leno calls the majority of Americans 'ungrateful, spoiled brats' for indicating in polls they're unhappy with the direction the country is headed in
Emailed article attributed to Tonight Show host Jay Leno calls the majority of Americans 'ungrateful, spoiled brats' for indicating in polls they're unhappy with the direction the country is headed in
JFK: 'I am a Jelly Donut'
Was John F. Kennedy's 1963 "Ich bin ein Berliner" comment a linguistic flub?
Was John F. Kennedy's 1963 "Ich bin ein Berliner" comment a linguistic flub?
Joe Lieberman: Open Letter to the French People
This letter, circulating in the form of an email chain letter since May 2002, excoriates France for being soft on anti-Semitism. Did Senator Joe Lieberman really write it?
This letter, circulating in the form of an email chain letter since May 2002, excoriates France for being soft on anti-Semitism. Did Senator Joe Lieberman really write it?
Julius Caesar: 'Beware the Leader Who Bangs the Drums of War...'
Caesar didn't say it, Shakespeare didn't write it, but everyone's quoting it: 'Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword...'
Caesar didn't say it, Shakespeare didn't write it, but everyone's quoting it: 'Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword...'
Marie Antoinette: 'Let Them Eat Cake'
Say what you will about her, Marie Antoinette never uttered the words 'Let them eat cake.'
Say what you will about her, Marie Antoinette never uttered the words 'Let them eat cake.'
Michael Richards' Self Defense
Circulating via email, a racist rant purportedly delivered by actor/comedian Michael Richards as his 'defense speech in court' for shouting racial epithets at black audience members during a 2006 incident at an L.A. comedy club
Circulating via email, a racist rant purportedly delivered by actor/comedian Michael Richards as his 'defense speech in court' for shouting racial epithets at black audience members during a 2006 incident at an L.A. comedy club
Monica Lewinsky Explains Post-Clinton Weight Loss
Here's what the former White House intern purportedly said on Larry King Live... and evidence that she didn't.
Here's what the former White House intern purportedly said on Larry King Live... and evidence that she didn't.
Did Nostradamus Predict a 2006 World Cup Win for Spain?
Did 16th-century astrologer Nostradamus pen a quatrain predicting that Spain would win the World Cup in 2006?
Did 16th-century astrologer Nostradamus pen a quatrain predicting that Spain would win the World Cup in 2006?
Olympic Bloopers
A list of alleged 'Olympic Bloopers' or 'Sports Bloopers' - verbal gaffes supposedly committed by TV sportscasters during the most recent Olympic Games.
A list of alleged 'Olympic Bloopers' or 'Sports Bloopers' - verbal gaffes supposedly committed by TV sportscasters during the most recent Olympic Games.
Paul Harvey on Prayer
Emailed essay attributed to Paul Harvey defends Christian prayers at public events: "I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations."
Emailed essay attributed to Paul Harvey defends Christian prayers at public events: "I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations."
Robin Williams' Plan for Peace
Sarcastic "peace plan" circulating by email since March 2003 is falsely attributed to comedian Robin Williams.
Sarcastic "peace plan" circulating by email since March 2003 is falsely attributed to comedian Robin Williams.
Ronald Reagan: Grace Under the Scalpel
"I hope you're all Republicans," said the president to the surgeons. Or did he?
"I hope you're all Republicans," said the president to the surgeons. Or did he?
Sarah Palin Quotes
Circulating via email, a series of preposterous quotes attributed to Repubican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin on the subjects of evolution, oil drilling in ANWR, and Alaskans serving in the military in Iraq.
Circulating via email, a series of preposterous quotes attributed to Repubican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin on the subjects of evolution, oil drilling in ANWR, and Alaskans serving in the military in Iraq.
Shakira's Anti-Israeli Slur
Did Latin American pop star Shakira really refer to Israelis as "pigs" during an MTV interview?
Did Latin American pop star Shakira really refer to Israelis as "pigs" during an MTV interview?
Stalin: 'It's Not the People Who Vote that Count; It's the People Who Count the Votes'
Did Soviet dictator Josef Stalin once say 'It's not the people who vote that count, it's the people who count the votes'?
Did Soviet dictator Josef Stalin once say 'It's not the people who vote that count, it's the people who count the votes'?
Sunscreen Spill on the Misinformation Superhighway
The commencement address that Kurt Vonnegut never gave...
The commencement address that Kurt Vonnegut never gave...
Theodore Roosevelt on Immigrants
Authentic but erroneously dated quotation in which Theodore Roosevelt insists that every immigrant must become 'an American, and nothing but an American,' forsaking their native language for English and all other flags for the American flag.
Authentic but erroneously dated quotation in which Theodore Roosevelt insists that every immigrant must become 'an American, and nothing but an American,' forsaking their native language for English and all other flags for the American flag.
Thomas Sowell on the Presidential Candidates
Bigoted, poorly written email rant attributed to conservative black columnist Thomas Sowell trashes Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Bigoted, poorly written email rant attributed to conservative black columnist Thomas Sowell trashes Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
'Where Thieves and Pimps Run Free'
In which we attempt to nail down the source of a quotation attributed to Hunter S. Thompson and determine which of the many versions - if any - is authentic.
In which we attempt to nail down the source of a quotation attributed to Hunter S. Thompson and determine which of the many versions - if any - is authentic.
Why English Teachers Die Young
A list of fractured similes and metaphors allegedly found in high school essays by English teachers from across the country.
A list of fractured similes and metaphors allegedly found in high school essays by English teachers from across the country.