Quotable quotes

Thought-provoking snippets from the OED quotation files:

an unusual pursuit...

1992 N. Maclean Young Men & Fire, It was in 1940 when the first parachute jump on a forest fire was made.

...a generous bequest...

1710 J. Addison Tatler, As an eternal Monument of my Affection and Friendship for him, I bequeath My Rat's Testicles, and Whale's Pizzle, To him and his Issue Male.

...and a top night out...

1815 Scott Guy Mannering, A pail of whiting, or camstane, as it is called, mixed with water—a circumstance which indicates Saturday night in Edinburgh.