‘You’re onmute’ could be quote of year

Jacinda Ardern’s dance moves, Judith Collins’ arching eyebrow, and toilet paper all feature in a short-list for Massey University’s hunt for 2020’s best quote.

Dozens of entries have been whittled down to 10 finalists, with the public given one week to vote for their favourite.

The nominations ranged from tragic to humorous quotes and feature tears, dancing, Buzzy Bee, and even the cannabis referendum.

Last

year,

Prime

Minister

Ardern’s unifying phrase “They are us” won the Quote of the Year award.

This year, Winston Peters just missed out with: “We’ve opposed woke pixie dust”, which was 11th.

How entries differed this year

Massey University speech-writing specialist and competition organiser Dr Heather Kavan says the experience of lockdown dominated the entries.

The most frequently nominated quote was “you’re on mute”, which was said by many people on Zoom calls this year.

It was also a year of firsts because a quote from a bird and a group made the top 10.

“This was the first time we’ve had quotes where the speaker is a group, including the line from the Buchanan family video,” Kavan said. “Usually, the entries are full of quotes from individual personalities.”

Bird of the Year contestant the orange-fronted parakeet/ka¯ka¯riki karaka’s campaign line “I am the orange face you can trust” struck a chord with many Kiwis.

Kavan says several people have indicated they think “you’re on mute” will have the widest appeal during voting this year.

“The winning quotes often aren’t ones that fulfil established criteria, like vivid language, emotional power and maximum meaning.

“In many ways, quotes are like songs — we recognise a good one when we hear it, but it’s difficult to define why it sparks something within us.”

Voting closes at

Friday, December 18.

"In many ways, quotes are like songs— we recognise a good onewhen we hear it . . ."

Dr Heather Kavan

midday

on