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 July-September 2009

Hedgehogs – why can't they just share the hedge?
Dan Antopolski, English comedian, voted the funniest joke at the Edinburgh Festival

We have become known as just the Marks & Spencer option when in our hearts we know that Jesus would just as likely be in the queue at Asda or Aldi.
Stephen Cottrell, English bishop, on the Church of England

I probably shouldn't do it because whichever way I go I always end up at one place: Lonely Avenue.
Bob Dylan, American singer and songwriter, on the suggestion that his voice be used for car satnav systems

I've not felt this well in ages.
Keith Floyd, English chef, after enjoying a meal of champagne, oysters, and partridge. He died hours later

It was an extremely beautiful place and was very green.
Miyuki Hatoyama, wife of the Japanese Prime Minister, on her trip to Venus in a triangular UFO

It's chicken feed.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, on the £250,000 a year he earns from his second job as a newspaper columnist

Africa is not poor, it is poorly managed.
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President of Liberia

It's important to realize that I was actually black before the election.
Barack Obama, American President

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