Cliff's metaphors, analogies and catchphrases

I've already stressed that I by no means intend this blog to become the definitive Tony Cliff collection. There is, however, a slight exception to this principle - there's one way (and only way) in which I hope this blog can become the final word, the complete set, the definitive archive. I am referring to Cliff's magnificent repetoire of anecdotes, metaphors, one-liners, catchphrases, analogies, jokes and witticisms.

In this aspect of public speaking Cliff remains incomparable in the SWP's history: nobody else has developed such a richly diverse, inventive, quirky and sometimes quite baffling array of figurative ways of expressing political ideas. He was incapable of giving a talk at the SWP's annual Marxism event without dropping in at least one offbeat metaphor, unusual analogy or memorable one-liner. The same was true when he spoke in public meetings or at conferences.

So, I am inviting those of you who remember Cliff speaking to get in touch with any examples you recall. I will be collating 'Cliff's miscellany of metaphors, analogies and catchphrases' from these submissions, and hopefully publishing a thorough collection in a few weeks time. You can contact me directly or post a comment underneath this post.

Examples don't have to be especially successful - his 'jokes' sometimes stretched the boundaries of what can be classified as humour - but it would be great to have as comprehensive a collection as possible. He used these rhetorical devices in speech more than in writing, so without your help many of these gems will be lost to posterity.