Quirky Quotes from Quirky People Quiz

Answer: George Carlin

George Carlin (1937-2008) was a stand-up comedian. The beauty of this quote is that everyone in the audience secretly thinks they are in the smarter half. But statistically, half of them are wrong. Similarly, George has another quote that makes everyone assume they are better than others "Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?".

Answer: Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson's most famous quote is itself misquoted. The original reported version was "Everybody has plans until they get hit for the first time." Before fighting Mike Tyson in 1987, Olympic gold medalist Tyrell Biggs confidently described his strategy for beating the heavyweight champion.

When reporters relayed the plan to Tyson, he shrugged and replied, "Everybody has plans until they get hit for the first time." Tyson then spent seven rounds chasing down the taller boxer before stopping him by TKO.

The quote became one of the most famous lines in sports history, largely because the fight itself seemed to prove Tyson's point.

Answer: Casey Kasem

For nearly 50 years, millions of listeners heard Casey Kasem (1932-2014) remind them to "keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars." When he finally signed off for the last time, he couldn't bring himself to say goodbye, so he simply said the quote one more time.

Answer: Groucho Marx

Groucho Marc (1890-1977) was famous for his wit both on and off the stage. The quote was not directed at a specific person. It was one of Groucho Marx's famous wisecracks, written in the 1930s as a comic insult that starts like a compliment and ends with a put-down. Over time it became one of the lines most closely associated with his stage and screen persona.

Answer: Albert Einstein

Although a lifelong critic of war, Albert Einstein (1879-1955) signed a 1939 letter urging President Franklin D. Roosevelt to investigate atomic weapons because he feared Nazi Germany might develop them first. After World War II, he became a leading voice against nuclear war, warning that another global conflict could destroy civilization itself.

After World War II and the development of the atomic bomb, Albert Einstein became deeply concerned that a future global war could destroy modern civilization. When he said, "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones," he meant that a third world war might be so devastating that it would return humanity to a primitive state, forcing any later war to be fought with simple tools rather than advanced technology.

Answer: Ronald Reagan

On the campaign trail in New York City, Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) complained about the poor record of the then current US government run by Jimmy Carter. His actual quote was "A recession is when your neighbor loses his job. A depression is when you lose yours. Recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his.". Reagan went on to win the November 1980 election in a landslide.

Answer: Mark Twain

Mark Twain (1835-1910) became famous for denying his own death after newspapers in 1897 accidentally killed him off while he was still walking around London. Rather than getting angry, he deadpanned: 'The report of my death was an exaggeration.' The correction became far more famous than the original rumor.

Answer: Steve Irwin

Steve Irwin (1962-2006) spent his life working with dangerous animals and often remarked that they were easier to understand than people. His famous quote reflects the idea that a crocodile's intentions are obvious, while people can be far more complicated because they are capable of deception and betrayal.

Answer: Dalai Lama

Often quoted as motivational words, but becomes stronger with examples people can relate to. His height is 5 ft 7in (170cm).
Consider Mother Theresa, internationally known and respected religious leader, under 5 feet tall (152cm) . Pablo Picasso, one of the most famous painters of all time, 5' 4" (152.5cm). Simone Biles, US Olympian, 4' 8" (142cm). Danny DeVito, internationally known TV and movie star, 4' 10" (147cm). Joan of Arc, heroine of France, 5'2" (157.5cm). Queen Victoria, queen of England for almost 64 years, 4'11" (150cm).

Answer: Betty White

Betty White (1922-2021) was a pioneering American actress and comedian, known for her memorable roles in sitcoms and game shows. She broke gender and age barriers in early television and became a beloved pop icon. White's sense of humor was characterized by her quick wit and relatable comedic timing, which she showcased in her iconic performances on shows like "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "The Golden Girls".

Her career spanned nearly seven decades, earning her numerous awards and a lasting legacy in American entertainment.

Answer: Muhammad Ali

When people quote this phrase, they are quoting Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) because he popularized the phrase. But it was originally coined by his cornerman Drew "Bundini" Brown. The iconic line "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" became synonymous with Muhammad Ali's boxing style and persona. Ali first brought the phrase into the public eye during the early 1960s, particularly before his 1964 fight against Sonny Liston, when he was still known as Cassius Clay.

While Ali is credited with popularizing the quote, it was Drew "Bundini" Brown, his cornerman and assistant trainer, who originally crafted it during training sessions in 1963-1964.

Answer: Jean Cretien

As the PM of Canada, Jean Chrétien's famous "A proof is a proof..." quote came during a 2002 press conference when he was being questioned about whether there was proof that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. Rather than commit to the evidence being sufficient, he gave a rambling answer that included, "A proof is a proof. What kind of a proof? It's a proof..." The quote became famous not because of what he meant, but because his awkward wording and circular logic sounded unintentionally humorous.

In essence, Chrétien was trying to say that strong evidence is needed before taking action, but the phrasing became one of the most memorable gaffes in Canadian political history. He was trying to explain the situation, but the explanation quickly became more famous than the situation. Soon the explanation needed an explanation, and then the explanation of the explanation needed explaining.

Answer: Rodney Dangerfield

Rodney Dangerfield is best known for his self-deprecating humor and the catchphrase, "I don't get no respect!". Some examples :

"I don't get no respect. The way my luck is running, if I was a politician I would be honest."

"When I was born I was so ugly the doctor slapped my mother."

"My wife and I were happy for 20 years. Then we met."

"When I was a kid my parents moved a lot, but I always found them."

"I looked up my family tree and found three dogs using it."

Answer: Robert Muldoon

In 1976, New Zealand Prime Minister Robert Muldoon jokingly remarked, "New Zealanders who leave for Australia raise the IQ of both countries." The quip came at a time when many New Zealanders were migrating to Australia for better economic opportunities. Because New Zealand and Australia have a close relationship and a long tradition of friendly rivalry, Muldoon felt compelled to comment on the migration issue, choosing humor rather than politics.

The joke endures because it playfully pokes fun at both nations at once while reflecting the good-natured competition between the two neighbors.

Answer: Yogi Berra

Although it has been debated whether team manger Yogi Berra actually said these words, it is generally agreed that the intent of "It ain't over 'till it's over" originated from a July 31 1973 press conference when he was asked about the New York Mets' chances of winning that year. Decimated by injuries, the Mets had a record of 44-57 at the time. But they had a strong finish to the year, ending at 82-79, won the pennant but lost the World Series 4 games to 3 to the Oakland Athletics. The quote is internationally famous and used by optimistic underdogs in sports, politics and every day life around the world.

Some other famous quotes by Yogi :

"Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical."

"You can observe a lot by just watching."

"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future."