--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Really, awfully, terribly, I had a sudden…" description: "\"“Really, awfully, terribly, I had a sudden attack of hiccups. I was staring at the Doctor, murderously angry with him. And hiccuping... 'That's it. I'm..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b49/james-goss-19280_amy-pond_really-awfully-terribly-i-had-a-sudden-a_2451180.jpg" --- # Really, awfully, terribly, I had a sudden attack of… ![“Really, awfully, terribly, I had a sudden attack of hiccups. I was staring at the Doctor, murderously angry with him. And hiccuping... 'That's it. I'm going down there. I'm offering myself to them instead. If you're too much of a coward.' The Doctor winced at that last word. I hiccuped again. 'Amy…” quote by James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b49/james-goss-19280_amy-pond_really-awfully-terribly-i-had-a-sudden-a_2451180.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b49/james-goss-19280_amy-pond_really-awfully-terribly-i-had-a-sudden-a_2451180.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b49/james-goss-19280_amy-pond_really-awfully-terribly-i-had-a-sudden-a_2451180.jpg) > ““Really, awfully, terribly, I had a sudden attack of hiccups. I was staring at the Doctor, murderously angry with him. And hiccuping... 'That's it. I'm going down there. I'm offering myself to them instead. If you're too much of a coward.' The Doctor winced at that last word. I hiccuped again. 'Amy Pond,' he said. 'Try holding your breath.' 'I will not hold my breath! This is important! Rory is having his mind vacuumed and we're just standing here-' 'Hiccuping.' 'Yes.' We stood, glaring at each other. I hiccuped again. 'Seriously,' said the Doctor, patiently. 'I know it's not the best time, but really, try holding your breath.' I stood there. Hiccuping and scowling at him.”” [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Doctor and Amy argue, but their tension is broken by a comical hiccup moment, showing humor amid crisis **In simple terms:** Humor eases tension in stressful situations Key Takeaway Use humor to defuse conflict Themes conflict humor stress relief Mood lighthearted tense Type dialogue comic relief When to use this quote - medical emergencies - teamwork - high‑stakes decisions Key Concepts communication emotional regulation Questions to Reflect On - How can humor change a tense interaction? - When is humor inappropriate? A Different Perspective Humor may distract from seriousness; not always appropriate ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amy pond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amy-pond/) [Angry Hiccuping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angry-hiccuping-571475/) [Best time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-time/) [Doctor who](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctor-who/) [Doctor Winced](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctor-winced-571477/) [Hiccuped Amy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hiccuped-amy-571476/) [Hiccuped Seriously](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hiccuped-seriously-571474/) [Hiccuping Scowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hiccuping-scowling-571478/) [Hiccups](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hiccups/) [Last Word](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-word/) [Rory-williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rory-williams/) [The doctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-doctor/) ## Related quotes > [ “How are you, Rory?' \[the Doctor\] asked. I \[Rory\]... answered him. 'It's been odd being you.' 'Isn't it?' The Doctor's smile didn't quite reach… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/how-are-you-rory-the-doctor-asked-i-rory-answered-him-it-s-been-odd/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“Don't get me started on the whole Doctor-Amy-Rory thing. It's kind of like... I dunno. Suppose you'd always fancied Ryan Reynolds. That's fine, yeah.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/don-t-get-me-started-on-the-whole-doctor-amy-rory-thing-it-s-kind-of/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “He \[the Doctor\] groaned. 'Why does it always have to be me?' 'Mr Rory is ill. You're the next best thing,' I \[Maria\] said… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/he-the-doctor-groaned-why-does-it-always-have-to-be-me-mr-rory-is-ill/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“The Doctor puffed out some air and looked down to the sea. 'A very charming man. I should be more careful of very charming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/the-doctor-puffed-out-some-air-and-looked-down-to-the-sea-a-very/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“Well, what do you want me to say?' The Doctor was so angry he was almost hovering. 'Well done on marrying the only male…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/well-what-do-you-want-me-to-say-the-doctor-was-so-angry-he-was-almost/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“At the moment, it's simply a difference of opinon between the Doctor and you.. You both want the best. You've only tried to kill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/at-the-moment-it-s-simply-a-difference-of-opinon-between-the-doctor/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“Something pretty bad's happening nearby in the space-time continuum.' the Doctor shouted over the noise. 'The TARDIS is a terrible rubbernecker - like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/something-pretty-bad-s-happening-nearby-in-the-space-time-continuum/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Rory stood up with some difficulty, the chair still tied to him. He leaned over me \[Maria\] and managed to pull my ropes free.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/rory-stood-up-with-some-difficulty-the-chair-still-tied-to-him-he/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“The Doctor. He grabbed hold of Rory's ankle, dragging him protesting out from under the table. 'Rory!' he grinned, wrapping him in an enourmous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/the-doctor-he-grabbed-hold-of-rory-s-ankle-dragging-him-protesting/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Rory, Rory, Rory - was it your idea to get The Sea to cure me?' \[said the Doctor.\] 'Yes,' said Rory, smiling. 'That was… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/rory-rory-rory-was-it-your-idea-to-get-the-sea-to-cure-me-said-the/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Rory's not my pet dog!' I \[Amy\] yelled at the Doctor. 'Well, that would be better.' He was truly angry. 'Dogs I can live… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/rory-s-not-my-pet-dog-i-amy-yelled-at-the-doctor-well-that-would-be/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “You see, there's a drill: 1. I \[Amy\] will say 'Right then, let's go and rescue him \[Rory\].' 2. The Doctor will say 'Ah… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/you-see-there-s-a-drill-1-i-amy-will-say-right-then-let-s-go-and/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“Maria looked at the TARDIS... 'Is that really your carriage?' She asked. 'It is not very good, monsieur. It has no wheels.' 'It doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/maria-looked-at-the-tardis-is-that-really-your-carriage-she-asked-it/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“You know when sometimes you meet someone so beautiful, and then you actually talk to them, and five minutes later they're dull as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-know-when-sometimes-you-meet-someone-so-beautiful-and-then-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Rory: Amy. I'm gonna need a little help here. Amy: Just stop it! Rory: Just think it through, this will work. This will kill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-moffat/rory-amy-i-m-gonna-need-a-little-help-here-amy-just-stop-it-rory-just/) [Steven Moffat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-moffat/) ## More by James Goss > [“Now here's Amy Pond, standing in the freezing ocean, holding the body of her imaginary friend, and shouting at the sea to make him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/now-here-s-amy-pond-standing-in-the-freezing-ocean-holding-the-body/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “How are you, Rory?' \[the Doctor\] asked. I \[Rory\]... answered him. 'It's been odd being you.' 'Isn't it?' The Doctor's smile didn't quite reach… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/how-are-you-rory-the-doctor-asked-i-rory-answered-him-it-s-been-odd/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Oh, and I \[Amy\] may also have told him that I quite fancied Dr Smith \[The Doctor\]. Which in the 1780s was probably punishable… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/oh-and-i-amy-may-also-have-told-him-that-i-quite-fancied-dr-smith-the/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “You see, there's a drill: 1. I \[Amy\] will say 'Right then, let's go and rescue him \[Rory\].' 2. The Doctor will say 'Ah… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/you-see-there-s-a-drill-1-i-amy-will-say-right-then-let-s-go-and/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Rory's not my pet dog!' I \[Amy\] yelled at the Doctor. 'Well, that would be better.' He was truly angry. 'Dogs I can live… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/rory-s-not-my-pet-dog-i-amy-yelled-at-the-doctor-well-that-would-be/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Now... Just run.' \[said the Doctor.\] One of the things you learn very quickly around the Doctor is never to question him when he… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/now-just-run-said-the-doctor-one-of-the-things-you-learn-very-quickly/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “I've lost the TARDIS as well.' I \[Amy\] was outraged. Considering my husband was dying and we were stranded in the past, the Doctor… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/i-ve-lost-the-tardis-as-well-i-amy-was-outraged-considering-my/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Rory, Rory, Rory - was it your idea to get The Sea to cure me?' \[said the Doctor.\] 'Yes,' said Rory, smiling. 'That was… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/rory-rory-rory-was-it-your-idea-to-get-the-sea-to-cure-me-said-the/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“The Doctor. He grabbed hold of Rory's ankle, dragging him protesting out from under the table. 'Rory!' he grinned, wrapping him in an enourmous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/the-doctor-he-grabbed-hold-of-rory-s-ankle-dragging-him-protesting/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Rory stood up with some difficulty, the chair still tied to him. He leaned over me \[Maria\] and managed to pull my ropes free.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/rory-stood-up-with-some-difficulty-the-chair-still-tied-to-him-he/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“Which brings me to you, Prince Boris. And I'm sorry, but here's the thing... I think you're one of the nicest Russian aristocrats I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/which-brings-me-to-you-prince-boris-and-i-m-sorry-but-here-s-the/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “\[The Doctor\] pulled the thing out of Prince Boris's mouth, waving it around. 'Oh. Blimey. This is not a spatula. What is it?' I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/the-doctor-pulled-the-thing-out-of-prince-boris-s-mouth-waving-it/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“Maria?... She's been writing all this down? Oh, bless her...' He leafed on through the pile. 'Although that's not how that happened... and no,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/maria-she-s-been-writing-all-this-down-oh-bless-her-he-leafed-on/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“Something pretty bad's happening nearby in the space-time continuum.' the Doctor shouted over the noise. 'The TARDIS is a terrible rubbernecker - like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/something-pretty-bad-s-happening-nearby-in-the-space-time-continuum/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [I always like toast in a crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/i-always-like-toast-in-a-crisis/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) [Explore all 33 James Goss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) ## More Amy pond quotes > [“Now here's Amy Pond, standing in the freezing ocean, holding the body of her imaginary friend, and shouting at the sea to make him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/now-here-s-amy-pond-standing-in-the-freezing-ocean-holding-the-body/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “How are you, Rory?' \[the Doctor\] asked. I \[Rory\]... answered him. 'It's been odd being you.' 'Isn't it?' The Doctor's smile didn't quite reach… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/how-are-you-rory-the-doctor-asked-i-rory-answered-him-it-s-been-odd/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Oh, and I \[Amy\] may also have told him that I quite fancied Dr Smith \[The Doctor\]. Which in the 1780s was probably punishable… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/oh-and-i-amy-may-also-have-told-him-that-i-quite-fancied-dr-smith-the/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“LOVE THIS QUOTE 131 You know when sometimes you meet someone so beautiful and then you actually talk to them and five minutes later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doctor-who/love-this-quote-131-you-know-when-sometimes-you-meet-someone-so/) [Doctor Who](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doctor-who/) > [River Song? Amy Pond? Hardly weak women. It's the exact opposite. You could accuse me of having a fetish for powerful, sexy women who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-moffat/river-song-amy-pond-hardly-weak-women-it-s-the-exact-opposite-you/) [Steven Moffat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-moffat/) > [ “You see, there's a drill: 1. I \[Amy\] will say 'Right then, let's go and rescue him \[Rory\].' 2. The Doctor will say 'Ah… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/you-see-there-s-a-drill-1-i-amy-will-say-right-then-let-s-go-and/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [ “Rory's not my pet dog!' I \[Amy\] yelled at the Doctor. 'Well, that would be better.' He was truly angry. 'Dogs I can live… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/rory-s-not-my-pet-dog-i-amy-yelled-at-the-doctor-well-that-would-be/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“Hello, old friend. And here we are. You and me, on the last page. By the time you read these words, Rory and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-moffat/hello-old-friend-and-here-we-are-you-and-me-on-the-last-page-by-the/) [Steven Moffat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-moffat/) > [“Rory: Amy. I'm gonna need a little help here. Amy: Just stop it! Rory: Just think it through, this will work. This will kill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-moffat/rory-amy-i-m-gonna-need-a-little-help-here-amy-just-stop-it-rory-just/) [Steven Moffat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-moffat/) > [ “I've lost the TARDIS as well.' I \[Amy\] was outraged. Considering my husband was dying and we were stranded in the past, the Doctor… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/i-ve-lost-the-tardis-as-well-i-amy-was-outraged-considering-my/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“River Song: Use the stabilisers! The Doctor: It doesn't have stabilisers! River Song: The blue switches! The Doctor: The blue ones don't do anything,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-moffat/river-song-use-the-stabilisers-the-doctor-it-doesn-t-have-stabilisers/) [Steven Moffat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-moffat/) > [“Amy: Hey, Paisley, Ever fancied someone you know you shouldn't? Bracewell: What? Amy: Hurts, doesn't it? But kind of a good hurt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/amy-hey-paisley-ever-fancied-someone-you-know-you-shouldn-t-bracewell/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [ “\[The Doctor\] pulled the thing out of Prince Boris's mouth, waving it around. 'Oh. Blimey. This is not a spatula. What is it?' I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/the-doctor-pulled-the-thing-out-of-prince-boris-s-mouth-waving-it/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) > [“You know when sometimes you meet someone so beautiful, and then you actually talk to them, and five minutes later they're dull as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-know-when-sometimes-you-meet-someone-so-beautiful-and-then-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The Doctor: Amy, what are you doing? Amy: That gravestone, Rory's, there's room for one more name isn't there? The Doctor: What are you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-moffat/the-doctor-amy-what-are-you-doing-amy-that-gravestone-rory-s-there-s/) [Steven Moffat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-moffat/) [Browse all 34 Amy pond quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amy-pond/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Really, awfully, terribly, I had a sudden attack of hiccups. I was staring at the Doctor, murderously angry with him. And hiccuping... 'That's it. I'm going down there. I'm offering myself to them instead. If you're too much of a coward.' The Doctor winced at that last word. I hiccuped again. 'Amy Pond,' he said. 'Try holding your breath.' 'I will not hold my breath! This is important! Rory is having his mind vacuumed and we're just standing here-' 'Hiccuping.' 'Yes.' We stood, glaring at each other. I hiccuped again. 'Seriously,' said the Doctor, patiently. 'I know it's not the best time, but really, try holding your breath.' I stood there. Hiccuping and scowling at him.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "James Goss" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/really-awfully-terribly-i-had-a-sudden-attack-of-hiccups-i-was/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Amy pond" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/really-awfully-terribly-i-had-a-sudden-attack-of-hiccups-i-was/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b49/james-goss-19280_amy-pond_really-awfully-terribly-i-had-a-sudden-a_2451180.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b49/james-goss-19280_amy-pond_really-awfully-terribly-i-had-a-sudden-a_2451180.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b49/james-goss-19280_amy-pond_really-awfully-terribly-i-had-a-sudden-a_2451180.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Really, awfully, terribly, I had a sudden attack of hiccups. 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