The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

Barkis is willin’.
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 5
I live on broken wittles—and I sleep on the coals.
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 5 (The Waiter)
‘When a man says he’s willin’...it’s as much as to say, that a man’s waitin’ for a answer.’
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 8 (Mr Barkis)
Experientia does it—as papa used to say.
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 11 (Mrs Micawber). Tacitus ‘The Histories’ bk. 5, ch. 6: Experientia docuit
experience has taught, commonly quoted Experientia docet experience teaches
I have known him come home to supper with a flood of tears, and a declaration that nothing
was now left but a jail; and go to bed making a calculation of the expense of putting bowwindows
to the house, ‘in case anything turned up,’ which was his favourite expression.
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 11 (on Mr Micawber)
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen six, result happiness.
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 12 (Mr Micawber)
We live in a numble abode.
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 16 (Uriah Heep)
We are so very ’umble.
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 17 (Uriah Heep)
‘Orses and dorgs is some men’s fancy. They’re wittles and drink to me—lodging, wife, and
children—reading, writing and ’rithmetic—snuff, tobacker, and sleep.
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 19 (The Gentleman on the Canterbury Coach)
I only ask for information.
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 20 (Miss Rosa Dartle)
It was as true...as taxes is. And nothing’s truer than them.
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 21 (Mr Barkis).
What a world of gammon and spinnage it is, though, ain’t it!
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 22 (Miss Mowcher)
Other things are all very well in their way, but give me Blood!
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 25 (Mr Waterbrook)
I assure you she’s the dearest girl.
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 27 (Traddles)
Accidents will occur in the best-regulated families.
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 28 (Mr Micawber)
He told me, only the other day, that it was provided for. That was Mr
Micawber’s expression, ‘Provided for.’
‘David Copperfield’ (1850) ch. 28 (Traddles)
‘People can’t die, along the coast,’ said Mr Peggotty, ‘except when the tide’s pretty nigh out.
They can’t be born, unless it’s pretty nigh in—not properly born, till flood. He’s a going out with