Best quotes of the year
From political insults to “death by a falling fatty” and a Shortland Street cliff-hanger, 2017 has been a good year for the memorable Kiwi quip.
The 10 shortlisted finalists in Massey University’s annual Quote of the Year competition have been announced and the public has one week to vote for 2017’s best quote.
Competition organiser and cojudge Dr Heather Kavan said 2017’s nominated quotes were dominated by this year’s general election, with a quarter of the entries political insults.
Of the political jibes, she thought Winston Peters’ “ravaged by a toothless sheep” stood out and deserved its place in the top 10.
“Quotes mocking judgmental people are invariably popular, as are quotes with animal images, so it’s as if Peters instinctively knew what themes to capitalise on,” she said.
Paula Bennett, who won the 2012 competition by telling present Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to “zip it, sweetie”, made the list again by quipping that she was embracing her new “feather duster status” as her tenure as Deputy Prime Minister came to an end.
Ardern and partner Clarke Gayford both made the list — she for describing climate change as her generation’s “nuclear-free moment” and he for pondering whether his inspiration as “first ladyman” would be Michelle Obama or Prince Philip.
Another potential winner was the Shortland Street cliff-hanger “Please tell me that’s not your penis,” which United States star Alec Baldwin reenacted with Jimmy Kimmel.
“The tone is light-hearted, and the story is about teenager Harry Warner photographing his genitals for his girlfriend,” Kavan said. “It’s also possible the quote’s appeal runs deeper than the amusement factor. No doubt many people have thought the same words during encounters with men with Harvey Weinstein tendencies.” “Please tell me that’s not your penis.” — Shortland Street’s
(Michael Galvin) confronting his son Harry about a photo, in a cliff-hanger ending. “If humour is common sense dancing, John Clarke was Nureyev.” — Musician
on the death of comedian John Clarke. “For overseas observers, in NZ elections, we all vote then take the ballots, chuck them out, and ask a man called Winston Peters who won.” — Writer tweeting about the 2017 election. “I’ve not seen the data about the risk factor of death by falling fatty; I’d imagine it’s similar to the risk factor of death by Sharknado.” — Fat activist and scholar when asked if fat people are a hazard because they could fall on you.