Being asked by a lady what was the exact difference between the word accident and the word malheur, he replied immediately: This version was rendered in French and English: 1862 November 15, The Spectator, Volume 35, Political Power of the French Salons, (From Our Special Correspondent, London, November 12, 1862) Start 3, Quote 3, London, England. … Continue readingĪ flash of wit to be recorded amongst the most successful is one for which credit has been given to a French Academician, one of the leaders of the Orleanist party, a quondam Minister of Louis Philippe. In November 1862 the target was Napoleon III who at that time was the Emperor of the French. Here are additional selected citations in chronological order. It would be an accident if your cousin, Prince Napoleon, were to tumble into the Seine-but it would be a misfortune if any one were to help him out again.“ After a pause for an illustration, His Majesty said, “I will tell you, my boy, the exact difference. the juvenile Imperial blood asked his parent to explain to him the difference between the words “accident” and “misfortune,” which have certainly a little closer affinity in French than English, and seem to require a little elucidation. (British Newspaper Archive and Newspapers_com) Boldface has been added to excerpts: 1861 May 28, The Leeds Mercury, London Correspondence, Quote, Column 4 and 5, Yorkshire, England. The tale begins with a discussion between the Prince Imperial and the Emperor of France about synonyms and other closely related words. The target of disdain was Prince Jérôme Napoléon. The earliest instance known to QI appeared in May 1861 in the English newspaper “The Leeds Mercury” which suggested that the anecdote originated in France. This variability makes tracing the quip difficult. Snippson, William Gladstone, or David Lloyd George. The identity of the endangered individual has also changed: Prince Jérôme Napoléon (also known as Plon-Plon), Napoleon III, the Emperor of the French, Mr.
The hazardous event depicted has varied over time: falling into a pit, a pond, an unnamed river, the Seine, or the Thames. For example, the pair of contrasting words has included the following: accident versus malheur accident versus misfortune accident versus calamity mischance versus misfortune mishap versus misfortune and misfortune versus calamity. Quote Investigator: There are many versions of this joke, and it has been circulating and evolving for more than 150 years.
The reference works I examined gave citations in the twentieth century, but Disraeli died in 1881. Well, if Gladstone fell into the Thames, that would be a misfortune and if anybody pulled him out, that would be a calamity. Reportedly he was once asked about the difference in meaning between the words “misfortune” and “calamity”, and he constructed a jest aimed at his political rival William Ewart Gladstone: Snigger? Suffragette? Max O’Rell? Paul Blouët? Apocryphal?ĭear Quote Investigator: The statesman Benjamin Disraeli was famous for his witticisms and barbs. Benjamin Disraeli? Prince Jérôme Napoléon? Napoleon III? French Academician? Mr.
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