# "A handbaaag?"  likely British quote

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-handbaaag-likely-british-quote/331356>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [November 16, 2005, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-handbaaag-likely-british-quote/331356 "2005-11-16T18:37:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Ultraviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/c77e96/32.png) [@Ultraviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ultraviolet)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-handbaaag-likely-british-quote/331356/1 "2005-11-16T18:37:12Z")

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Does anybody know the origin of the line “A handbaag?” being spoken in a high-pitched old-lady-type voice? I’ve heard it now on Are You Being Served and lately on I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue. Given the sources where I heard it, it’s likely British.

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**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-handbaaag-likely-british-quote/331356/2 "2005-11-16T18:39:36Z")

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What is it a joke in reference to?

I don’t think I’ve ever heard it, but I don’t get out much.

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**Author:** ![Tevildo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Tevildo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tevildo)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-handbaaag-likely-british-quote/331356/3 "2005-11-16T18:42:21Z")

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It’s from “[The Importance Of Being Earnest](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Importance_of_Being_Earnest)”, by Oscar Wilde.

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**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-handbaaag-likely-british-quote/331356/4 "2005-11-16T18:55:31Z")

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This is pathetic. Or rather, I am pathetic.

I have seen the play twice and loved it each time and I still didn’t put the pieces together.  
:rolleyes:

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**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-handbaaag-likely-british-quote/331356/5 "2005-11-16T19:10:24Z")

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Specifically, it’s from Dame Edith Evans’ performance in the 1952 film version.

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**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-handbaaag-likely-british-quote/331356/6 "2005-11-16T19:15:55Z")

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> [@WotNot](#):
>
> Specifically, it’s from Dame Edith Evans’ performance in the 1952 film version.

Yep, you have to include the shocked quaver in the voice to nail it.

I love that film.

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**Author:** ![Ultraviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/c77e96/32.png) [@Ultraviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ultraviolet)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-handbaaag-likely-british-quote/331356/7 "2005-11-16T22:09:53Z")

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Thanks guys! I knew someone here would know!