QUOTES
Famous quotes that were never actually said that way
55 effects found
Play It Again, Sam
Countless fans and pop culture references suggest Humphrey Bogart's character, Rick, famously tells Sam, 'Play it again, Sam.'
Elementary, My Dear Watson
Most people firmly believe that Sherlock Holmes frequently uttered the phrase 'Elementary, my dear Watson' to his faithful companion.
You Can't Handle the Truth!
Most people remember the quote as a standalone statement: 'You can't handle the truth!'
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Most people recall the Evil Queen saying, 'Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?'
Luke, I Am Your Father
Almost everyone remembers Darth Vader saying, 'Luke, I am your father' to Luke Skywalker.
Insanity: Doing the Same Thing
Millions believe this quote, 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results,' was famously stated by Albert Einstein.
Fear Itself (FDR)
People often remember FDR saying, 'The only thing to fear is fear itself' or 'The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself, AND NOTHING ELSE.'
Ask Not What Your Country
Many people remember JFK's stirring words as, 'Ask not what your country can do for you, BUT what you can do for your country.'
Say Hello to My Little Friend
Many people are convinced Tony Montana shouts 'Say hello to my little friend!' without any preceding words.
Failure to Communicate
Many people recall the Captain saying, 'What we HAVE here is failure to communicate,' using the present tense of 'have.'
Water, Water, Everywhere
Most people quote the line as 'Water, water, everywhere, BUT not a drop to drink.'
Just the Facts, Ma'am
Millions of viewers remember Sergeant Joe Friday famously saying 'Just the facts, ma'am' in 'Dragnet.'
Reports of My Death
Many people remember Mark Twain saying, 'The reports of my death ARE greatly exaggerated.'
Objects in Mirror
Many people are certain the mirror warning reads 'Objects in mirror ARE closer than they appear,' as if it's a definitive statement.
Me Tarzan, You Jane
Everyone remembers Tarzan, pointing to himself, saying 'Me Tarzan,' and then pointing to Jane and saying 'You Jane' as his first words to her.
I'm Melting! (Oz)
Many people remember the Wicked Witch screaming, 'I'm melting! I'm melting! Oh, what a world! What a world!' as she dissolves.
Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls
Many fans sing the line as 'Don't go chasing THE waterfalls...' adding a definite article before 'waterfalls.'
I Expect You to Die, Mr. Bond
Many people distinctly remember Auric Goldfinger saying, 'I expect you to die, Mr. Bond!' with Bond's name at the end.
It's Just a Flesh Wound
Many fans recall the Black Knight saying, 'It's ONLY a flesh wound,' implying a singular and dismissive injury.
A Spoonful of Sugar
Many recall the song stating 'A spoonful of sugar MAKES the medicine go down.'
Patience, My Young Padawan
Most Star Wars fans are certain that Yoda, with his distinctive speech patterns, says 'Patience, my young Padawan.'
Speak Friend and Enter
Many recall Gandalf eventually figuring out the riddle and saying 'Speak friend and pass' or simply 'Speak friend' to open the doors.
The British Are Coming!
Every schoolchild learns that Paul Revere rode through the night shouting, 'The British are coming! The British are coming!'
I'm Walking Here!
Many recall the frustrated character Ratso Rizzo yelling, 'Hey! I'm walkin' here!' with a clear 'Hey!' at the beginning.
All That Glitters
Many people cite the saying as 'All that glitters is not gold,' using the modern verb 'glitters.'
Float Like a Butterfly
Many remember Ali's iconic words as 'Float like a butterfly AND sting like a bee.'
He's Dead, Jim
Many Star Trek fans recall Dr. McCoy frequently saying 'He's dead, Jim,' or even 'I'm dead, Jim,' to Captain Kirk.
The Lady Doth Protest
People commonly quote the line as 'The lady protests too much,' omitting the older, more formal verb.
Oh, What a Tangled Web
People often remember the quote as 'Oh, what a tangled web we humans weave, when first we practice to deceive.'
Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave
Many recall the anthem ending with 'O'er the land of the free, THE home of the brave,' using 'the' instead of 'and.'
What a Piece of Work Is Man
Many recall Hamlet's lament as 'What a piece of work is man!' implying a direct statement.
The Most Important Thing (Olympics)
Many remember the creed as 'The most important thing IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES is not to win but to COMPETE.'
Take Your Protein Pills
Many remember the lyric as 'Take your pills and put your helmet on,' simplifying the type of pills.
Do Not Go Gentle
Many recall the opening line as 'Do not GO QUIETLY into that good night.'
Double, Double Toil and Trouble
Many recall the witches chanting, 'Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble.'
They're Coming to Get You, Barbara!
Many recall Johnny playfully (then menacingly) telling his sister, 'They're coming FOR you, Barbara!'
Jolly Good Fellow Ending
Most people remember the song ending with the line '...which nobody can deny!' making it sound like an undisputed fact.
Sticks and Stones
Most people remember the rhyme as 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.'
Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!
Many race fans remember the unwavering call being 'Gentlemen, start your engines!' for decades.
The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of
Many people remember Sam Spade's line as 'The things that dreams are made of,' using the plural and more generic 'things.'
Pleased to Meet You
Many fans recall Mick Jagger singing 'Nice to meet you, hope you guess my name...' at the start of the song.
I Yam What I Yam
Many people remember Popeye's line as 'I am what I am,' using standard English grammar.
May You Live in Interesting Times
Many recall the 'curse' as 'May you BE BORN in interesting times' or 'May you live in INTERESTING TIMES.'
Good Artists Copy, Great Artists Steal
Many remember the quote as 'Good artists BORROW, great artists steal,' suggesting a softer distinction.
Hello, Is It Me You're Looking For?
Many remember the iconic opening lyric as 'Hello, is it me THAT you're looking for?'
The Game's Afoot
Many believe Sherlock Holmes frequently exclaims 'Elementary, my dear Watson!' and 'The game is afoot!' as his signature, oft-repeated lines.
Abyss Gazes Back
Many remember the quote as 'When you look into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.'
You Spin Me Right 'Round
Many recall the chorus simply as 'You spin me right 'round, baby, right 'round, like a record, baby.'
Beatings Will Continue
Many people believe 'The beatings will continue until morale improves' is an ancient military saying or a quote from a specific historical dictator.
I Shot The Sheriff
Many remember the lyric as 'I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy.'
Best Laid Plans
People often remember the phrase as 'The best laid schemes of mice and men / Go often awry.'
A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste
Many people believe the slogan includes a specific reference, remembering it as 'A mind is a terrible thing to waste on drugs' or 'through drugs.'
All Gave Some, Some Gave All
Many people remember the tribute as 'All gave some, BUT some gave all,' creating a clear contrast.
The Past Is a Foreign Country
Many remember the line as 'The past is a foreign country; they *have done* things differently there' or '...they *always did* things differently there.'
Alas, Poor Yorick!
Many people recall Hamlet saying, 'Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio,' or 'I knew him well, Horatio,' adding his confidante's name.