Monty Python's Flying Circus Quotes

Context

This line is spoken by Cardinal Ximénez, played by Michael Palin, in the Monty Python's Flying Circus sketch "The Spanish Inquisition."

When a man is asked a question by his wife, he snaps at her, exasperated: "I didn't expect some kind of Spanish Inquisition!" 

Taking their cue, a trio of inquisitors in bright red robes (the better to hide all the blood) jump into the room and shout "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!"

Their chief weapons are surprise, fear, and the Monty Python trademark inability to count. They get their speech wrong so many times that they have to leave and re-enter the room over and over, thereby negating that whole "surprise" thing.

Where you've heard it

You might hear this line if anyone is ever grilling you, if you're playing Dragon Age: Inquisition, or if you're actually discussion the Spanish Inquisition in history class.

Additional Notable References

• "Nobody expects the Spanish hamburger." 
• Nobody expects Gwyneth Paltrow to quote Monty Python. 
• Nobody expects an episode of Judging Amy to be called "Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition." 
• Or an episode of Doogie Howser.
• Not to be confused with Mel Brooks' "Inquisition" song from History of the World Part 1.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

In reality, the Inquisition wasn't something to laugh at. But if Monty Python can do it...