# LOTR and other lines you think to your little self **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 29, 2008, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093 "2008-12-29T18:29:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mudkicker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@mudkicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mudkicker)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/1 "2008-12-29T18:29:36Z")
I think (ahem) everyone does this. You have favourite books and you quote lines of it to yourself at mundane and pointless parts of everyday life. Lame but fun. Here are a few of mine: Christmas shopping, trying to get in the door of a very packed shop, seeing a group of loitering teenagers in my way. We look at each other, we both move at the same time, I jump forward and in through the door, my brain echoing with an internal cry of ‘YOU! SHALL! NOT! PASS!’ The electricity went out in my flat last night, and we topped up online. This gives a 20 digit number that you have to go downstairs to enter into the electricity box. Huddled under the duvet in the dark while my SO went downstairs with a torch, I looked up as the light, fridge, heating, TV, lamp and kettle all went on simultaneously and thought ‘Ah! The ringbearer has fulfilled his quest.’ One from years ago, studying Antony and Cleopatra and waking up with the worst hangover I’d ever had: ‘I am dying, Egypt, dying.’ Maybe I should put this in the ‘Weird things you do’ thread… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/2 "2008-12-29T19:00:39Z")
I frequently ask myself “What would MacGyver do?” when faced with a challenge; this is a reference to a 90s comic about whom I recall nothing save that he was a 30something white dude in a fedora and very funny. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/3 "2008-12-29T19:04:38Z")
I have a ring with “Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death.” engraved on the inside. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/4 "2008-12-29T19:14:43Z")
> [@Turek](#): > > I have a ring with > > “Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death.” > > engraved on the inside. I always thought a wedding ring engraved with “…and in the darkness bind them…” was apropo. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/5 "2008-12-29T19:51:44Z")
When I have a change in luck for the better I will say (or think) “Looks like meat is back on the menu!” ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/6 "2008-12-29T20:57:41Z")
I occasionally find myself thinking “I’m ready for my close-up, DeMille,”\* which is not quite as odd as it would be if I didn’t occasionally have to be ready for close-ups. I’ve never actually worked for anyone named DeMille or been in a position to tell a director when to start the take though, and sometimes it spills over into other situations, like meeting people for the first time. Not a line, but I used to like playing part of the Indiana Jones theme in my head during mundane tasks. The fourth movie kind of killed that for me though. - I know the line from the movie is “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up,” but it’s one of those “Play it again, Sam,” things. ETA: The line is from _Sunset Boulevard_, and was spoken by an aging glamor queen who had just > [@](#): > > gone completely around the bend and killed someone and was imagining that the news cameras were movie cameras - although it’s been ripped-off and parodied many times since, it’s a great closing scene. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/7 "2008-12-29T21:03:42Z")
In all fairness, “spoiler” and “quote” are very similar in spelling. Oh, well, it is a 50-year-old classic movie after all. ---
**Author:** ![3acresandatruck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e79b87/32.png) [@3acresandatruck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3acresandatruck)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/8 "2008-12-29T21:22:50Z")
Whenever I’m reviewing my plans for any project, large or small, I find this exchange playing in my head: Valerie: _Think it’ll work?_ Max: _It would take a miracle._ ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/9 "2008-12-29T21:22:56Z")
There’s a local wooded are that looks very old, with grey tattered lichen hanging off of trees. When I walk or hike there, I like to pat the trees and repeat the quote “I am not altogether on anyone’s side, because nobody is on my side.” ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/10 "2008-12-29T21:45:19Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I frequently ask myself “What would MacGyver do?” when faced with a challenge; this is a reference to a 90s comic about whom I recall nothing save that he was a 30something white dude in a fedora and very funny. Um, are you possibly referring to the [very successful US Television show MacGyver](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacGyver) that ran from 1985 to 1992? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/11 "2008-12-29T22:01:43Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Um, are you possibly referring to the [very successful US Television show MacGyver](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacGyver) that ran from 1985 to 1992? I mean that I’m consciously quoting a comedian whose name I don’t remember who referred to that television show in his act. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/12 "2008-12-29T22:17:10Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I mean that I’m consciously quoting a comedian whose name I don’t remember who referred to that television show in his act. ahhhhh! Gotcha! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/13 "2008-12-29T22:18:20Z")
I always get into situations where “This is bat country!” is appropriate. I’m not sure what that says about me. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/14 "2008-12-29T22:19:36Z")
I often yell “I kill you filthy!” in traffic. ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/15 "2008-12-29T22:39:31Z")
When things go hideously awry (as they often do around me) I’ll say “He (she/you/I) chose poorly.” ---
**Author:** ![Wheeljack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@Wheeljack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheeljack)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/16 "2008-12-29T22:45:47Z")
I always quote, with the deepest voice I can muster, Worf’s “it is a good day to die” whenever I’m doing something that rhymes with _die_. The applications are nearly limitless. Baking: It is a good day for pie! Traveling: It is a good day to fly! Cooking fish: Perhaps today is a good day to fry! My wife claims to not be embarrassed by this. ---
**Author:** ![Lavender\_Falcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b782af/32.png) [@Lavender\_Falcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lavender_Falcon)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/17 "2008-12-29T23:01:33Z")
Sometimes when things at work are a complicated mess, these lines from Winnie the Pooh go through my mind: “Hot!” mumbled Tigger. “Your friend,” said Eeyore, “appears to have bitten on a bee.” Or if I’m a little more alarmed by the mess, from LOTR: “They have a cave troll!” ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/18 "2008-12-29T23:38:33Z")
Sometimes when I drag myself onshore out of Lake Michigan in front of my place, I recite: “Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn’ Ambar-metta!” ('Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place I will abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world) I started this long before the movies came out. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/19 "2008-12-29T23:43:13Z")
Occasionally I’ll have an old line from TV my dad used to say “Jane, you ignorant slut.” He used it a lot. No idea where it’s from. “Trust me. I know what I’m doing.” And “Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue” have been used, as well as too many Ghostbuster quotes. ---
**Author:** ![erleichda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4da419/32.png) [@erleichda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erleichda)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093/20 "2008-12-29T23:48:03Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Occasionally I’ll have an old line from TV my dad used to say “ **Jane** , \*\*you \*\*\*\*ignorant \*\ ***slut**.” He used it a lot. No idea where it’s from. > > “Trust me. I know what I’m doing.” And “Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue” have been used, as well as too many Ghostbuster quotes. You cute child, you! It’s from Saturday Night Live. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-and-other-lines-you-think-to-your-little-self/479093.md?page=2)