The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

I am worn to a ravelling...I am undone and worn to a thread-paper, for I have no more twist.
‘The Tailor of Gloucester’ (1903) p. 22
It is said that the effect of eating too much lettuce is ‘soporific’.
‘The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies’ (1909) p. 9
Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were—Flopsy, Mopsy,
Cottontail, and Peter.
‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’ (1902) p. 9
You may go into the fields or down the lane, but don’t go into Mr McGregor’s garden.
‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’ (1902) p. 10
Peter sat down to rest; he was out of breath and trembling with fright...After a time he began to
wander about, going lippity-lippity—not very fast, and looking all round.
‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’ (1902) p. 58
4.83 Henry Codman Potter 1835-1908
We have exchanged the Washingtonian dignity for the Jeffersonian simplicity, which was, in
truth, only another name for the Jacksonian vulgarity.
Address, Washington Centennial, 30 April 1889, in ‘Bishop Potter’s Address’ (1890) p. 12
4.84 Stephen Potter 1900-69
A good general rule is to state that the bouquet is better than the taste, and vice versa.
‘One-Upmanship’ (1952) ch. 14 (on wine-tasting)
How to be one up—how to make the other man feel that something has gone wrong, however
slightly.
‘Lifemanship’ (1950) p. 14
Each of us can, by ploy or gambit, most naturally gain the advantage.
‘Lifemanship’ (1950) p. 15
‘Yes, but not in the South’, with slight adjustments, will do for any argument about any place,
if not about any person.
‘Lifemanship’ (1950) p. 43
If you have nothing to say, or, rather, something extremely stupid and obvious, say it, but in a
‘plonking’ tone of voice—i.e. roundly, but hollowly and dogmatically.
‘Lifemanship’ (1950) p. 43
In Newstatesmanship...definite pros and cons are barred: and they are difficult, anyway,
because pro-ing and conning is never the best way of going one better.
‘Lifemanship’ (1950) p. 73
The theory and practice of gamesmanship or The art of winning games without actually
cheating.
Title of book (1947)
4.85 Eugéne Pottier 1816-87