From Robert Graves’ Lars Porsena or the Future of Swearing and Improper Language
Undistinguished as the oath by St George has become, he has at any rate had the honour of outlasting all his peers…. Once in a public house a young Italian and a middle-aged Londoner were arguing politics. The Italian paid a warm tribute to the Vatican and its works. “Oh, to hell with the Pope!” remarked the Englishman. “And to hell,” replied the furious Italian, upsetting the glasses with a blow of his fist, “and to hell with your Archbishop of Canterbury!” The Englishman swallowed the insult agreeably, but expostulated on the waste of good liquor. (pg 7-8)
Extracts 