Who said “Don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash.”?

Disputed

It's credited to Winston Churchill, but no reliable source from their lifetime has been found.

What the research foundNo reliable source from Winston Churchill's lifetime: Only secondhand evidence (Harold Nicolson diary, 1950; a 1963 biography); Churchill reportedly denied it.

Evidence: Quote Investigator · Wikiquote · How we check

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Authors A–Z
“Don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash.”
— Winston Churchill
DisputedNo reliable source from Winston Churchill's lifetime: Only secondhand evidence (Harold Nicolson diary, 1950; a 1963 biography); Churchill reportedly denied it. · evidenceArmy and Navy

Cite this quote

APA

“Don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash.” [Quotation attributed to Winston Churchill]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7128-dont-talk-to-me-about-naval-tradition-its/

MLA

“Don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash.” Attributed to Winston Churchill. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7128-dont-talk-to-me-about-naval-tradition-its/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“Don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash.” Attributed to Winston Churchill. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7128-dont-talk-to-me-about-naval-tradition-its/.

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