Don't hang up. You've angered me, and when you anger me you anger the phone company and all the power necessary to tie up your lines for the next fifty years. Do I make myself clear?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A comedic threat about telephone company power used to keep someone on the line.
- In plain terms
- Don't hang up or I will use the phone company power to tie up your lines.
- What can you take from it?
- Authority can be used humorously to maintain connection.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When does humor feel like a threat?
- How do you keep someone talking?
Another view
Phone companies do not control personal lines indefinitely.
More from Lily Tomlin
You are not dealing with just anyone's fool. I am a high-school graduate.
Permalink to quote #64 Well Mr. Bush, it may be true that Mr. Kerry avoided being in a war, but at least he didn't start one.
Permalink to quote #66 You're dealing with the phone company, Mr. Veedle. We are not bound by city, state, or federal regulations. We are omnipotent.
Permalink to quote #63
Related quotes
Communication must become total and conscious before we can stop it.
William S. BurroughsWilliam S. Burroughs quote #20 For those of you calling from Madagascar or Bakersfield, that number again 1-800-520-1534 that number once again 1-213-427-7266 that number once again 1-213-42…
Phil HendriePhil Hendrie quote #64 Only laughter can blow [a colossal humbug] to rags and atoms at a blast. Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.
Samuel Langhorne ClemensSamuel Langhorne Clemens quote #110