Famous Last Words

[Richard Tarleton]

"Put that bloody cigarette out!" - HH Munro, aka Saki (just before he was killed in the trenches in 1916 by a German sniper)

[vinteuil]

... my favourite (apart from the lovely "I could just do with one of Bellamy's veal pies... ") - is one that I so hope I may have the wits about me to use on my demise -

"It has all been most interesting... "

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Mine will probably be something on the lines of "Now, it was yellow and green stripes on the top and blue to the left, wasn't it?"

[ardcarp]

I always think of Spike Milligan's epitaph, "I told you I was ill". Not quite the same as last words.......

[teamsaint]

not his last words, but perhaps the the last word from Dorothy Parker following the death of famously laissez faire president Calvin Coolidge..

" How can they tell ?"

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Among the most famous and moving last words must be those of Captain Oates in Captain Scott's ill-fated polar expedition: "I may be some time".

[kea]

My personal favourite may be "They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist-"


(though it's probably apocryphal)

[Pabmusic]

My personal favourite may be "They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist-"


(though it's probably apocryphal)

Actually, it's one of those that seems to be true. Major General John Sedgewick was killed early in the battle of Spotsylvania Court House in 1864. Shortly before he was killed he had been rallying his men, who had come under unexpected fire. This is according to Wikipedia (confirming my own memory as an interested young lad during the centenary of the American Civil War) "Sedgwick strode around in the open and was quoted as saying, "What? Men dodging this way for single bullets? What will you do when they open fire along the whole line?" Although ashamed, his men continued to flinch and he said, "Why are you dodging like this? They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." A few minutes later he was killed.

I feel 13 years old again...

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

"Harmony".

[salymap]

I always think of Spike Milligan's epitaph, "I told you I was ill". Not quite the same as last words.......

Yes, I thouht of that.

Also there is a statue in London's Embankment Gardens. Think it was Sullivan who is supposed to have said 'Sorry to leave such a lovely day'

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Think it was Sullivan who is supposed to have said 'Sorry to leave such a lovely day'

I believe that this is the last written entry in his diary the night in which he died, sals, so, for once, no doubt that it's accurate - and rather lovely.

[antongould]

"What the Devil do you mean to sing to me Priest? You are out of tune...."

[Petrushka]

Does no-one utter any 'famous last words' nowadays? Any examples recorded from the mouths of more recent departures?

[Steerpike]

fhg

"Harmony" was Schoenberg I believe - though he probably said "harmonie"

[Pabmusic]

Does no-one utter any 'famous last words' nowadays? Any examples recorded from the mouths of more recent departures?

This is interesting (even though it's from the Daily Mail):

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2055820/Steve-Jobs-words-Oh-wow-That-clever-way-.html