Who said “A perpendicular expression of a horizontal desire.”?

Disputed

It's credited to George Bernard Shaw, but no reliable source from their lifetime has been found.

What the research foundNo reliable source from George Bernard Shaw's lifetime: Only a weak 1962 citation names Shaw.

Evidence: Quote Investigator · Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

APA

“A perpendicular expression of a horizontal desire.” [Quotation attributed to George Bernard Shaw]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4138-a-perpendicular-expression-of-a-horizontal-desire/

MLA

“A perpendicular expression of a horizontal desire.” Attributed to George Bernard Shaw. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4138-a-perpendicular-expression-of-a-horizontal-desire/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“A perpendicular expression of a horizontal desire.” Attributed to George Bernard Shaw. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4138-a-perpendicular-expression-of-a-horizontal-desire/.