Homer makes it into the Oxford D'oh-ctionary with his quotable quips

Homer makes it into the Oxford D'oh-ctionary with his quotable quips

By BETH HALE - More by this author » Last updated at 22:00pm on 21st August 2007 Comments

Homer's words of wisdom in the Oxford Dictionary of Modern Quotations: 'Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is never try.'

Until now, he's probably been best-known for one memorably straight-to-the-point quote - "D'oh!"

But today, we can hail Homer Simpson as he takes his place in the pantheon of the world's greatest word-weavers.

For the loveable slob from Springfield has secured himself not one, but two listings in the latest edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Modern Quotations.

The honour of appearing alongside golden-tongued literary luminaries including Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde would probably sail straight over the yellow head of the pot-bellied hero who heads America's most dysfunctional family in the celebrated cartoon series.

But in fact it is more of a tribute to Simpsons creator Matt Groening and his talented team.

It was Groening's scriptwriters who had Homer utter the immortal phrase: "Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is never try."

It appeared in an episode entitled Burns' Heir, written by Jack Richdale in 1994.

Another to appear in the dictionary - which is published today - is Homer's homily to the local Asian shopkeeper: "Kids are the best, Apu. You can teach them to hate the things you hate. And they practically raise themselves, what with the internet and all."

It came in a 1999 episode entitled Eight Misbehavin', written by Matt Selma.

Both quotations appear under the entry for 53-year-old Groening, who is classified by the compilers as an American humorist and satirist.

Homer is not, however, the first character from The Simpsons to find a place in the respected dictionary.

Already there is the much-repeated reference to the French by Scottish caretaker Groundskeeper Willie, who remarked: "Bonjour, you cheese-eating surrender monkeys" in a 1995 episode.

And Homer's son Bart has entered the hall of fame under a special catchphrase category for his "Eat my shorts!" and "I'm Bart Simpson. Who the hell are you?"

Simpsons fanatics will also note that quotes which have not yet made it into the volume include schoolboy Ralph Wiggum's comment: "Me fail English? That's unpossible."

The last edition of the book, which charts the ebb and flow of popular culture and marks some of the key moments in history, was published in 2002.

The new collection of more than 5,000 quotations paints a vivid picture of our modern world.

From the mouth of Joan Collins there is an insight into love with the utterance: "Older men treat women like possessions, which is why I like younger men."

Meanwhile, Stephen Fry gives a take on modern life with the observation that, "The e-mail of the species is deadlier than the mail".

And there is a rather double-edged comment on the love of money contained in the quote from fallen media tycoon Conrad Black: "Since when was greed a criminal offence?"

In a reflection of the impact of advertising on the modern world, furniture chain Ikea's slogan "Chuck out the chintz" joins old favourites such as "It's good to talk" from BT.

Another slogan that has been a household and media favourite for years also enters the book for the first time: "Naughty but nice" was dreamed up by the National Dairy Council in the 1980s in a bid to sell more cream.

Pamela Anderson and William Hague are others to contribute wise words, along with Gordon Brown and David Cameron and even Kate Middleton.

Dictionary editor Elizabeth Knowles said: "To edit a dictionary of modern quotations is endlessly fascinating - you find yourself looking at today's world from the perspective of a host of people from past and present, in quotations ranging from the deeply serious to the frivolous and surreal.

"And each time you come back to the book, you see from a new viewpoint, or hear a new voice."

By BETH HALE - More by this author » Last updated at 22:00pm on 21st August 2007 Comments

Homer's words of wisdom in the Oxford Dictionary of Modern Quotations: 'Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is never try.'

Until now, he's probably been best-known for one memorably straight-to-the-point quote - "D'oh!"

But today, we can hail Homer Simpson as he takes his place in the pantheon of the world's greatest word-weavers.

For the loveable slob from Springfield has secured himself not one, but two listings in the latest edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Modern Quotations.

The honour of appearing alongside golden-tongued literary luminaries including Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde would probably sail straight over the yellow head of the pot-bellied hero who heads America's most dysfunctional family in the celebrated cartoon series.

But in fact it is more of a tribute to Simpsons creator Matt Groening and his talented team.

It was Groening's scriptwriters who had Homer utter the immortal phrase: "Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is never try."

It appeared in an episode entitled Burns' Heir, written by Jack Richdale in 1994.

Another to appear in the dictionary - which is published today - is Homer's homily to the local Asian shopkeeper: "Kids are the best, Apu. You can teach them to hate the things you hate. And they practically raise themselves, what with the internet and all."

It came in a 1999 episode entitled Eight Misbehavin', written by Matt Selma.

Both quotations appear under the entry for 53-year-old Groening, who is classified by the compilers as an American humorist and satirist.

Homer is not, however, the first character from The Simpsons to find a place in the respected dictionary.

Already there is the much-repeated reference to the French by Scottish caretaker Groundskeeper Willie, who remarked: "Bonjour, you cheese-eating surrender monkeys" in a 1995 episode.

And Homer's son Bart has entered the hall of fame under a special catchphrase category for his "Eat my shorts!" and "I'm Bart Simpson. Who the hell are you?"

Simpsons fanatics will also note that quotes which have not yet made it into the volume include schoolboy Ralph Wiggum's comment: "Me fail English? That's unpossible."

The last edition of the book, which charts the ebb and flow of popular culture and marks some of the key moments in history, was published in 2002.

The new collection of more than 5,000 quotations paints a vivid picture of our modern world.

From the mouth of Joan Collins there is an insight into love with the utterance: "Older men treat women like possessions, which is why I like younger men."

Meanwhile, Stephen Fry gives a take on modern life with the observation that, "The e-mail of the species is deadlier than the mail".

And there is a rather double-edged comment on the love of money contained in the quote from fallen media tycoon Conrad Black: "Since when was greed a criminal offence?"

In a reflection of the impact of advertising on the modern world, furniture chain Ikea's slogan "Chuck out the chintz" joins old favourites such as "It's good to talk" from BT.

Another slogan that has been a household and media favourite for years also enters the book for the first time: "Naughty but nice" was dreamed up by the National Dairy Council in the 1980s in a bid to sell more cream.

Pamela Anderson and William Hague are others to contribute wise words, along with Gordon Brown and David Cameron and even Kate Middleton.

Dictionary editor Elizabeth Knowles said: "To edit a dictionary of modern quotations is endlessly fascinating - you find yourself looking at today's world from the perspective of a host of people from past and present, in quotations ranging from the deeply serious to the frivolous and surreal.

"And each time you come back to the book, you see from a new viewpoint, or hear a new voice."