The Spoonerism man

1844 William Archibald Spooner (d. August 29, 1930), Anglican clergyman, Warden (1903-24) of New College, Oxford, and legendary accidental creator of the spoonerism, a twisted figure of speech. Only the "Kinquering Congs" spoonerism is said to really be one of his. The others have been invented.

According to the February 1995 edition of Reader's Digest, Spooner was an albino, small, with a pink face, poor eyesight, and a head rather too large for his body. His reputation was that of a genial, kindly, hospitable man.

Spooner seems to have been something of an absent-minded professor. He once invited a faculty member to tea "to welcome our new archaeology Fellow."

"But, sir," the man replied, "I am our new archaeology Fellow."

"Never mind," Spooner said, "Come all the same."

Categories: history, biography, uk, english