Churchill lived until 1965, and it was conceivable that he reformulated his earlier remark. QI does not know who constructed this variant. Sir Winston Churchill, Reader’s Digest, December 1954. “An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile-hoping it will eat him last.” The memorable saying was placed into a compilation called “Best Quotes of ’54 ’55 ’56”: 1957, Best Quotes of ’54 ’55 ’56, Compiled by James Beasley Simpson, Section: Definitions, Quote, Thomas Y. In 1954 the mass-circulation “Reader’s Digest” printed an instance with the word “appeaser”. All of them hope that the storm will pass before their turn comes to be devoured. (EBSCO Academic Search Premier)Įach one hopes that if he feeds the crocodile enough, the crocodile will eat him last.

1940 January 29, Time, Volume 35 Issue 5, Invitation to War, Quote, Time Inc., New York.

For example, “Time” magazine included the crocodile statement. Parts of Churchill’s speech were reprinted in multiple newspapers and magazines in 1940. Here are additional selected citations in chronological order. This version simplified the text by adding the word “appeaser” and using only one metaphor. The popular modern version mentioned by the questioner was circulating by 1954. Also, it was somewhat clumsy because it employed two figurative frameworks: one based on a ravenous crocodile and another based on a powerful storm. The passage did not use the word “appeaser”. It will rage and it will roar ever more loudly, ever more widely. But I fear greatly that the storm will not pass. (ProQuest)Įach one hopes that if he feeds the crocodile enough, the crocodile will eat him last. Boldface has been added to excerpts: 1940 January 21, New York Times, Text of Churchill’s Speech on War Prospects, Quote, Column 4, New York. In the following passage Churchill was discussing countries which had remained neutral during the ongoing war. At the time, Churchill was the First Lord of the British Admiralty, and his address was broadcast on BBC radio from London “The New York Times” printed the speech the next day. Quote Investigator: Winston Churchill did use the crocodile metaphor during a speech delivered on January 20, 1940, but the phrasing was different. It supposedly was spoken during World War II, but I have not been able to find a contemporaneous citation. When this war is over I shall confine myself entirely to writing and painting.Winston Churchill? Readers Digest? Apocryphal?ĭear Quote Investigator: British leader Winston Churchill has been credited with a crafting a vivid definition for “appeaser” that cleverly employed figurative language:Īn appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile - hoping it will eat him last. I am never going to have anything more to do with politics or politicians.In war, you can only be killed once, but in politics, many times.In war you can only be killed once, but in politics many times. Politics is almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous.And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen. Politics is the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month and next year.Top 10 most used topics by Winston Churchill He was a member of the Liberal Party from 1904 to 1924. Ideologically an economic liberal and imperialist, he was for most of his career a member of the Conservative Party, which he led from 1940 to 1955. Apart from two years between 19, he was a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1900 to 1964 and represented a total of five constituencies. Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, (30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965) was a British statesman, soldier and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945, during the Second World War, and again from 1951 to 1955.

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