Word: wits
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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...halcyon days of the middle 19th century, when there were no wars and the most burning issues were the price of corn and the rise of trade unions, Melbourne was able to make a career of wit and irony. He shocked his fellow politicians by his love of paradox, his itch to ridicule everything, including himself. "The stomach is the seat of health, strength, thought and life," he said, alluding to his fondness for food and drink. "If you have a bad habit, the best way to get out of it is to take your fill...
...more imaginative friend describes it, "Some famous wit--was it Dr. Johnson?--said of a sentence of hanging that 'it concentrates the mind wonderfully'. So also jumping--in particular that delirious moment of exit--concentrates consciousness in a blindingly bright, diamond hard point. Mind has triumphed; this is the moment of pure reason...
July 30th: "Kiss Me Kate" with the music of Cole Porter and the wit of Bella and Sam Spewack...
Success in Supply. Reggie Maudling's open, persuasive manner is the antithesis of Selwynism. Unlike his predecessor, who has always been ill at ease in the House of Commons, Maudling is a born debater with a stylish turn of phrase and a quick wit. Once, when a Labor critic jeered at the government's decision to cut beer taxes, Maudling shot back: "I detect one or two notes of acidity, no doubt arising from mixing cheap bitter and sour grapes." Maudling, whose own tastes run to dry martinis and dancing barefoot on the Riviera with his pretty wife...
Powers is neither buffoon nor court jester but a shrewd and amiable Irishman who knows the President's moods and specializes in the topics of the day with a dry wit and sometimes sharp thrust. Universally liked around the White House, he carefully addresses Kennedy as "Mr. President," just as carefully avoids horning in on any serious matters of state. His invariable greeting for even the stuffiest White House visitor is "Hi, pal." As he rode through the streets of Paris in a motorcade after meeting Charles de Gaulle, Powers waved to the crowd and shouted: "Comment alley-voos...