British understatement - best example
British understatement - best example
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Esceptico

Original Poster:

8,897 posts

138 months

Monday 18th May 2020
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Whilst visiting the war memorial museum in Auckland I came across the following sign in the volcanoes section.

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain speaking. We have a small problem. All four engines have stopped. We are doing our damnedest to get them going again. I trust you are not in too much distress.”

It was the captain of a BA flight in 1982 that had flown through the ash plume of a volcano, which has caused the engines to stop.

Classic example of British understatement. Anyone else with good examples?


Dicky Knee

1,100 posts

160 months

Monday 18th May 2020
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Battle of Waterloo, 18th June 1815

The Earl of Uxbridge:'By God Sir, I've lost my leg' (it having just been removed by a French cannon ball)

The Duke of Wellington:'By God Sir, so you have'

SlimJim16v

8,099 posts

172 months

Tuesday 19th May 2020
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Lawrence Oates, Antarctic explorer and his well known last words, on leaving the tent into a blizzard.

"I am just going outside and may be some time."

moles

1,858 posts

273 months

Tuesday 19th May 2020
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If you like war museums visit the one in Waiouru. Brilliant place to spend a few hours.

https://www.armymuseum.co.nz/