Welcome to Wikipedia, a free-content encyclopedia in many languages. In this English edition, started in January 2001, we are working on 6,842,546 articles. Visit our Community Portal to find out how you can edit any article, or experiment in the sandbox. |
Today's featured article"Well he would, wouldn't he?" is an aphorism that is commonly used as a retort to a self-interested denial. It was said by the model Mandy Rice-Davies (pictured) while giving evidence at the 1963 trial of Stephen Ward, who had been accused of living off money paid to Rice-Davies and her friend Christine Keeler for sex: part of the larger Profumo affair. While being cross-examined Rice-Davies was told that Lord Astor, who owned the Cliveden estate on which Ward rented a cottage, had denied an affair with her; she replied: "Well he would, wouldn't he?" Political, communications and psychological experts have interpreted it as a phrase which indicates the speaker believes a person is making a self-interested, obvious or irrelevant denial. They have also stated it functions as a retort to mistruths made by public figures. Linguistically, it has been noted for its use of the modal verb would to create rhetorical effect. The phrase has been included in The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations since 1979. (Full article...)
Recently featured:
Selected anniversaries |
In the news![]() Plaza Murillo surrounded by soldiers
Did you know...
|
Wikipedia in other languagesThis Wikipedia is written in English. Many other Wikipedias are available; some of the largest are listed below.
| |
Wikipedia's sister projectsWikipedia is written by volunteer editors and hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization that also hosts a range of other volunteer projects:
| |
All New: 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 Orphaned: 500 1001 1501 | |
If you find this encyclopedia or its sister projects useful, please consider making a donation. |