Hillary vs. Arnold
Netlore Archive: Email joke: Hillary Clinton and Arnold Schwarzenegger exchange insulting witticisms during a chance meeting at a party
Description: Email joke
Circulating since: Sep. 2004
Status: False
Email example contributed by B.B., 10 September 2004:
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Subject: Hillary and Arnold Senator Hillary Clinton was attending a party, when she noticed Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. She walked over to him, and in a quiet voice said; "If you were my husband I would poison your drink." Schwarzenegger smiled, leaned forward, and whispered in her ear, "And if you were my wife I would drink it." |
Comments: This may well be a corrupt version of a true story -- historians differ as to the authenticity of the original -- but based on the longevity of the tale we can confidently say no such conversation took place between Hillary Clinton and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
By most accounts, the actual exchange took place at Blenheim Palace some time between the First and Second World Wars. The verbal combatants were Sir Winston Churchill and his political nemesis, Lady Nancy Astor. The two, both notable wits, were weekend guests of the Duke of Marlborough (Churchill's cousin), and at each other's throats the whole time. Exasperated, Lady Astor finally said, "Winston, if I were your wife I'd put poison in your coffee."
"Nancy," Churchill replied, "if I were your husband I'd drink it."
Sources and further reading:
Winston Churchill Quotes and Stories
From the Churchill CentreWinston Churchill
Time magazine profileLady Astor
Biography from JSS Virtual Gallery
Last updated: 09/10/04
