Sound Bites

Oxford dictionaries draw their strength from a constant monitoring of the language, and quotations from the daily torrent of words in the world around us, in print or on the air, are regularly added to our database. Our quarterly sound bites give a first view of sayings which have caught the public attention, and which might one day be added to one of our collections.

Sound bites: April - June 2007

We must not allow our justified loathing of the horrors and tragedies of the past to become a barrier to creating a better and more stable future for our children.

Ian Paisley (1926– ), Northern Irish politician

I'm thinking of a pop-up book.

George W. Bush (1946– ), American President

I propose a limitation be put on how many squares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting.

Sheryl Crow (1962– ), American musician

What I'd really like to do is throw eggs at Tony Blair before he goes. Not that it would make a dent.

Zandra Rhodes (1940– ), British designer

I have expressed a degree of regret that can be equated with an apology.

Des Browne (1952– ), British Defence Secretary

One of the most depressed towns in Southern England: a place that is arguably too full of drugs, obesity, under-achievment and labour MPs.

Boris Johnson (1964– ), Conservative politician

After all, you've dined with 10 US presidents. You helped our nation celebrate its bicentennial in 17 – in 1976.

George W. Bush (1946– ), American President, to Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to the White House

It is very rare in this world that women age gracefully now, and I would like to think I will do it well.

Stella McCartney (1972– ), Fashion designer

A chair is a piece of furniture. I am not a chair because no one has ever sat on me.

Ann Widdecombe (1947– ), British Conservative politician

Progression is going forwards. Going backwards is regression. Going sideways is just aggression.

Noel Gallagher (1967– ), Rock star

No one has yet worked out how to generate electricity by hand-wringing.

Jeremy Paxman (1950– ), British journalist and broadcaster

Knorr chicken stock cubes? Genius product.

Marco Pierre White (1961– ), British Chef

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