Homer Simpson has agreeably made his debut in the new edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Modern Quotations, sharing page space with other newbies including Pamela Anderson, Pope Benny 16, David Cameron, Paula Radcliffe, and Oprah Winfrey.

Homer is honoured for several classics, including this now-legendary piece of wisdom: "Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is never try."

Springfield's finest is also recorded as saying: "Kids are the best, Apu. You can teach them to hate the things you hate. And they practically raise themselves, what with the internet and all."

Francophiles, meanwhile, will be delighted to learn that caretaker Willie puts in an appearance with: "Bonjour, you cheese-eating surrender monkeys."

Other first-timers include Linda McCartney ("I don't eat anything with a face."), Yves Saint Laurent ("I wish I had invented blue jeans."), and O J Simpson ("Fame vaporises, money goes with the wind, and all that's left is character.")

Our personal fave, though, is William Hague's inspired comment to John Prescott, broadsiding the battling former deputy PM with: "There was so little English in that answer that President Chirac would have been happy with it." ®

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