English

Noun

famous last words

1. A notable final utterance before death, especially one made by a celebrity or historical figure.
   • 1908, "“Don't Give Up The Ship.”," New York Times, 5 Jan. (retrieved 2 Oct 2010):

     Lawrence died defending his vessel and his famous last words, "Don't give up the ship," have been familiar to every schoolboy.

   • 1996, Jane Irwin (editor), George Eliot's Daniel Deronda Notebooks, ISBN 0521460646, p. 367:

     When Arria's husband was hesitating to kill himself, she stabbed herself with his dagger, to demonstrate to him how to accomplish a noble suicide. Her famous last words—Paete, non dolet ["Paetus, it does not hurt!"].

2. (figuratively, expressing sarcasm) A statement which is overly optimistic, results from overconfidence, or lacks realistic foresight.
   • 1986, Janice Castro et al. "The Price Was Finally Right," Time, 9 June:

     Says one Sperry product executive: "As a manager, there is almost nothing you can do to get fired here." Considering the new circumstances, those could be famous last words.

   • 1989, Danielle Steele, Season of Passion, ISBN 9780440177043, p. 246:

     "But Nick—I'm never getting married again. I'm serious about that."

     "Famous last words."

   • 2007, Suzanne Brockmann, Into the Storm, ISBN 9780345480156, p. 417:

     "Lindsey and Tess are both armed. And Stella and Robert are here. We're ridiculously safe."

     "Those sound like such famous last words," Dave said.