After one of his long-winded harangues I suggested he had probably been vaccinated with a phonograph needle. He responded by saying that I would have been a great success in the movies working for Eighteenth Century-Fox.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Goldwater mocks a verbose speaker by comparing him to a phonograph needle.
- In plain terms
- He jokes the speaker talks too much like a record player.
- What can you take from it?
- Humor can defuse criticism of long-winded speakers.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is brevity a virtue in speech?
- How do you handle a talkative opponent?
Another view
The insult is personal and may distract from substantive issues.
More from Barry Goldwater
A liberal is a man too broadminded to take his own side in a quarrel.
Permalink to quote #14 American business has just forgotten the importance of selling.
Permalink to quote #16 I think every good Christian ought to kick Falwell right in the ass.
Permalink to quote #13
Related quotes
That's silly talk... Talk to my wife. She'll tell me I need to learn to just put my socks on the hamper.
Barack ObamaBarack Obama quote #10 Hubert Humphrey talks so fast that listening to him is like trying to read Playboy magazine with your wife turning the pages.
Barry GoldwaterBarry Goldwater quote #19 ''Lord Chancellor, did I deliver the speech well ?' 'Very well indeed, sir,' was the enthusiastic answer. 'I am glad of that,' replied the king; 'for there was…
George III of the United KingdomGeorge III of the United Kingdom quote #1