The biggest understatement of all times

[caesar44]

Every time I see Nixon's speech in 1974 I am on the flour - "...WELL , I AM NOT A CROOK...!" and finally - (he was drunk?)

Please add some understatements for the sake of history

[Papewaio]

You eat bread everytime you watch Nixon's '74 speech?

[Ianofsmeg16]

Neville Chaimberlain (PM before Churchill)
"Peace in our time"
Understatement of the Century

[Gawain of Orkeny]

This is far from the biggest understatement of all times. How about Chamberlains remarks after his meeting with Hitler of I hold in my hand peace for the world or something to that effect. Surely that tops it by miles.

[The Stranger]

Neville Chaimberlain (PM before Churchill)
"Peace in our time"
Understatement of the Century

yup after the berling congress. he said. Well i brought peace to our times.

[The Stranger]

I am a Berliner. thats funny.

[Ianofsmeg16]

Ich Bin Ein Berliner!

*roughly translated as I am a doughnut...understatement anyone?

[ICantSpellDawg]

"Peace in our time"

"I AM NOT A CROOK...!"

Ich Bin Ein Berliner!

Understatement: is used to make something appear smaller or less important than it really is. It can be used to entertain or to reduce the importance of the truth.

'There is something wrong with our bloody ships today' - Admiral Beatty at Jutland after two of his Battle Cruisers explode and sink

My favourite is the part of Emperor Hirohito's August 1945 capitulation speech where he stated that 'the war in the Pacific has not necessarily developed in Japan's favour'.

These are examples of "understatements".

[caesar44]

You eat bread everytime you watch Nixon's '74 speech?

Yes , we in the ME are eating flour , drinking water and then going to the fireplace and waiting for Nixon's speech...:)

[The Stranger]

from what a woman wants//mel gibson

i know i'm not a perfect dad.

[Red Harvest]

Every time I see Nixon's speech in 1974 I am on the flour - "...WELL , I AM NOT A CROOK...!"

Technical note: that is not an understatement, it is a false hood.

As for understatement, the one that always sticks in my mind is the NASA communications person a few seconds after Challenger exploded saying, "Flight controllers here are looking very carefully at the situation. Obviously a major malfunction." It is not amusing, but it sticks with me.

[Adrian II]

Nixon was indeed a false hood who according to close friends spent most of his final days on the flour being drunk.

My favourite is the part of Emperor Hirohito's August 1945 capitulation speech where he stated that 'the war in the Pacific has not necessarily developed in Japan's favour'.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Nixon was indeed a false hood who according to close friends spent most of his final days on the flour being drunk.

Wow I didnt know you could get drunk on flour Can you back this up at all?

[Kraxis]

You can... it will get messy, but it is entirely possible. I think this is worth trying out. You go first.

My favourite is the part of Emperor Hirohito's August 1945 capitulation speech where he stated that 'the war in the Pacific has not necessarily developed in Japan's favour'.

Ahhh, a very good one. Understatement while not wrong, and a big one at that.

[Grey_Fox]

'There is something wrong with our bloody ships today' - Admiral Beatty at Jutland after two of his Battle Cruisers explode and sink

I believe that after Waterloo, Wellington's despatch was so devoid of superlatives that the American ambassador (I think) thought Napoleon had won.

[Krusader]

Anything Comical Ali said

Otherwise I would agree to the Chamberlain one.

[Red Harvest]

'There is something wrong with our bloody ships today' - Admiral Beatty at Jutland after two of his Battle Cruisers explode and sink

That's a good one, I had forgotten about that. Stereotypical British understatement.

[Adrian II]

Wow I didnt know you could get drunk on flour Can you back this up at all?

It is backed up by the first part of the thread, and particularly Papewaio's expertise.

[caesar44]

Wow I didnt know you could get drunk on flour Can you back this up at all?

Such a humor... "He wrote flour instead of floor !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! , you are killing me dude" The sharpness...the ability to catch the little things...

[yesdachi]

"...WELL , I AM NOT A CROOK...!"

Nixon was a politician and therefore a crook so his statement is a lie. But I like the fact that even thou his party was totally caught he did take some responsibility for his actions. It would be nice to see others do the same coughClintonscough. Side note: Nixons head appearances on futurama are great!