How Do You Define History?

 

I don’t know how I’ve missed this for so long, but it’s from the play The History Boys, by Beyond the Fringe alum Alan Bennett:

Mrs. Lintott: And you, Rudge?  How do you define history?

Rudge: Can I speak freely without being hit?

Mrs. Lintott: You have my protection.

Rudge: How do I define history?  Well, it’s just one f—ing thing after another.

Perfect.