WIST Quotations

Doctor Who (1963) -- 11×02 “Invasion of the Dinosaurs,” Part 1 (1974-01-12) [w. Malcolm Hulke]

Dave — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 21:43:23 +0000

GENERAL FINCH: Waiting for this mysterious scientific advisor of yours to turn up?

BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: That’s right, sir.

GENERAL FINCH: Hmmmm. [sarcastically] I suppose he’ll just materialize out of thin air.

BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: Very probably.

Doctor Who (1963-1989) British science fiction television series, original run (BBC)
11×02 “Invasion of the Dinosaurs,” Part 1 (1974-01-12) [w. Malcolm Hulke]
(Source)

(Source (Video); dialog verified)

Doyle, Arthur Conan -- Story (1886-04), “A Study in Scarlet,” Part 1, ch. 2 [Holmes], Beeton’s Christmas Annual, Vol. 28 (1887-11-21)

Dave — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 22:54:22 +0000

Well, I have a trade of my own. I suppose I am the only one in the world. I’m a consulting detective, if you can understand what that is. Here in London we have lots of government detectives and lots of private ones. When these fellows are at fault, they come to me, and I manage to put them on the right scent. They lay all the evidence before me, and I am generally able, by the help of my knowledge of the history of crime, to set them straight. There is a strong family resemblance about misdeeds, and if you have all the details of a thousand at your finger ends, it is odd if you can’t unravel the thousand and first.

Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) British writer and physician
Story (1886-04), “A Study in Scarlet,” Part 1, ch. 2 [Holmes], Beeton’s Christmas Annual, Vol. 28 (1887-11-21)
(Source)

Published in novel form 1888-07.

Volkart, Edmund H. -- The Angel’s Dictionary: A Modern Tribute to Ambrose Bierce (1986)

Dave — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 22:16:24 +0000

EXPERT, n. A modern seer, often self-styled, whose pronouncements are received as if emanating from an oracle. A “recognized expert” is one whose pronouncements are closest to conventional wisdom.

Edmund H. Volkart (1919-1992) American sociologist, researcher, editor
The Angel’s Dictionary: A Modern Tribute to Ambrose Bierce (1986)