“You’ve got to be strong, and that’s not one of his strengths.”

An announcer on an NHL game in the late 1980s regarding (I believe) Tim Tookey attempting to cover Edmonton Oiler Steve Smith.

“It seemed his career was just taking off.”

For that letter of recommendation for the person who never seems to be around the office when you need them, emailed by a friend attributed to Ralph C. Maddocks

“Any small victory in a storm...”

Announcer on ABC Monday Night Football Oct. 17 1988

“‘The trouble with being punctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it.’ – Franklin P. Jones”

NCC Overview Winter 2002 [they had "nobody is there" but I believe this version is correct]

“A man like him is hard to find.”

Another "He's an extraordinary man" insult emailed by a friend and credited to Ralph C. Maddocks

“We generally found him loaded with work to do.”

Ralph C. Maddocks (insincere letter of recommendation line about the office drunk)

“I’ll bet she’ll be speechless.”

Dave Barry Dave Barry’s Bad Habits (re his decision to get his wife a practical rather than decorative or sentimental gift, specifically a case of paper towels).

“These phrases [shouted in English while traveling] will take care of your basic needs abroad, and the fact that you have taken the time to learn to pronounce them loudly and clearly will leave a lasting impression on your foreign hosts.”

Dave Barry Dave Barry’s Bad Habits