---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Bluebeard, who said to Scottland Yard…"
description: "\"Bluebeard, who said to Scottland Yard, How do I know how many wives I've killed? I'm not an accountant! Never got a dinner!\" — Red Buttons"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/136/red-buttons-6786_accountants_bluebeard-who-said-to-scottland-yard-how_1652503.jpg"
---

#  Bluebeard, who said to Scottland Yard, How do I know how…

![“Bluebeard, who said to Scottland Yard, How do I know how many wives I've killed? I'm not an accountant! Never got a dinner!” quote by Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/136/red-buttons-6786_accountants_bluebeard-who-said-to-scottland-yard-how_1652503.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/136/red-buttons-6786_accountants_bluebeard-who-said-to-scottland-yard-how_1652503.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/136/red-buttons-6786_accountants_bluebeard-who-said-to-scottland-yard-how_1652503.jpg)

> “Bluebeard, who said to Scottland Yard, How do I know how many wives I've killed? I'm not an accountant! Never got a dinner!”

[Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Humorously admits ignorance about counting wives, highlighting absurdity of assuming a tally.

**In simple terms:** Admits not knowing how many wives he’s killed.

Key Takeaway

Acknowledge uncertainty with humor.

Themes

humor absurdity selfdeprecation confession

Mood

lighthearted self‑aware playful

Type

comic satirical

When to use this quote

- conversation
- storytelling
- comic relief
- self‑reflection

Key Concepts

comic exaggeration social satire

Questions to Reflect On

- When does joking become avoidance?
- How can honesty be balanced with humor?

A Different Perspective

Humor may mask deeper issues of responsibility.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Dinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dinner/) [Wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wife/) [Wives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wives/)

## Related quotes

> [“The others just stopped and stared at him. “Correct me if I be wrong, little man,” Bluebeard said, “but ye do be wishin’ to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-riley/the-others-just-stopped-and-stared-at-him-correct-me-if-i-be-wrong/)

[James Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-riley/)

> [“The only time some fellows are ever seen with their wives is after they’ve been indicted.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kin-hubbard/the-only-time-some-fellows-are-ever-seen-with-their-wives-is-after/)

[Kin Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kin-hubbard/)

> [“Spanish girls make wonderful wives. I've never had one so I know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/spanish-girls-make-wonderful-wives-i-ve-never-had-one-so-i-know/)

[Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/)

> [I've had three wives. I've had five weddings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-bronfman-sr/i-ve-had-three-wives-i-ve-had-five-weddings/)

[Edgar Bronfman, Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-bronfman-sr/)

> [“Blood was flowing – in Bluebeard’s house, in the abattoirs, in the circuses where God had set his seal to whiten the windows. Blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/blood-was-flowing-in-bluebeard-s-house-in-the-abattoirs-in-the/)

[Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/)

> [“words rarely mean much when it comes to trust.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohit-sawant/words-rarely-mean-much-when-it-comes-to-trust/)

Rohit Sawant

> [“As his dark closet shows, Bluebeard was a collector at heart, and even after dispatching a wife, could not let her fully depart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shuli-barzilai/as-his-dark-closet-shows-bluebeard-was-a-collector-at-heart-and-even/)

Shuli Barzilai

> [I am sending back the key that let me into bluebeard's study; because he would make love to me I am sending back the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-plath/i-am-sending-back-the-key-that-let-me-into-bluebeard-s-study-because/)

[Sylvia Plath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-plath/)

> [“That was an ordinary way for a patriotic American to talk back then. It's hard to believe how sick of war we used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/that-was-an-ordinary-way-for-a-patriotic-american-to-talk-back-then/)

[Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/)

> [“Fakin’? No,” the captain said, giving her a careful stare. “But don’t be misunderestimatin’ Captain Bluebeard anytime soon, lassie. I don’t be who ye…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-riley/fakin-no-the-captain-said-giving-her-a-careful-stare-but-don-t-be/)

[James Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-riley/)

> [“What are blue-stockings?' asked Tommy. Naturally you don't know,' replied the other. 'If you did, you would sympathize more with Bluebeard. They were ladies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/what-are-blue-stockings-asked-tommy-naturally-you-don-t-know-replied/)

[G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/)

> [My greatest reward is knowing for certain, as I do with many other acts and artistes, that without Jonathan King being alive and involved,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-king/my-greatest-reward-is-knowing-for-certain-as-i-do-with-many-other/)

[Jonathan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-king/)

> [I could never have been an accountant. I got a D in math.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-marshall/i-could-never-have-been-an-accountant-i-got-a-d-in-math/)

[Rob Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-marshall/)

> [I deliberately look for colorful people. They're very right for theatre. Theatre has to be theatrical. If you can get color into the accountant,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lanford-wilson/i-deliberately-look-for-colorful-people-they-re-very-right-for/)

[Lanford Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lanford-wilson/)

> [Once we allow ourselves to be disobedient to the test of an accountant's profit, we have begun to change our civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maynard-keynes/once-we-allow-ourselves-to-be-disobedient-to-the-test-of-an/)

[John Maynard Keynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maynard-keynes/)

## More by Red Buttons

> [Sonny Von Bulow, who said to her husband Claus on their honeymoon, Stop needling me. Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/sonny-von-bulow-who-said-to-her-husband-claus-on-their-honeymoon-stop/)

[Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/)

> [Moshe Dayan, who donated his eye to CBS. Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/moshe-dayan-who-donated-his-eye-to-cbs-never-got-a-dinner/)

[Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/)

> [Dolly Parton, who said to her doctor, Are you sure it's a chest cold? Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/dolly-parton-who-said-to-her-doctor-are-you-sure-it-s-a-chest-cold/)

[Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/)

> [If I lose show business - I'll really be an orphan!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/if-i-lose-show-business-i-ll-really-be-an-orphan/)

[Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/)

> [Adam, who said to our Lord in the Garden of Eden, I got more ribs - you got more broads? Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/adam-who-said-to-our-lord-in-the-garden-of-eden-i-got-more-ribs-you/)

[Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/)

> [Joe Torre, who switched to first base because he didn't want to go through life as Chicken Catcher Torre. Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/joe-torre-who-switched-to-first-base-because-he-didn-t-want-to-go/)

[Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/)

> [Eve said to the serpent, “You know I could go for a bite to eat, but I don't know you from Adam.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/eve-said-to-the-serpent-you-know-i-could-go-for-a-bite-to-eat-but-i/)

[Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/)

> [E.T., who said to Phyllis Diller, You look weird. Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/e-t-who-said-to-phyllis-diller-you-look-weird-never-got-a-dinner/)

[Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/)

> [Never raise your hand to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/never-raise-your-hand-to-your-kids-it-leaves-your-groin-unprotected/)

[Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/)

> [Goliath's mother, who said to Goliath, Stop running around with David! You're always coming home stoned! Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/goliath-s-mother-who-said-to-goliath-stop-running-around-with-david/)

[Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/)

> [Simon Peter, who embarrassed the other disciples at the Last Supper by asking for seconds. Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/simon-peter-who-embarrassed-the-other-disciples-at-the-last-supper-by/)

[Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/)

> [Jacques Cousteau, the last man to see Jimmy Hoffa. Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/jacques-cousteau-the-last-man-to-see-jimmy-hoffa-never-got-a-dinner/)

[Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/)

> [Amelia Earhart, who said, Stop looking for me; see if you can find my luggage! Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/amelia-earhart-who-said-stop-looking-for-me-see-if-you-can-find-my/)

[Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/)

> [Helen of Troy, a hooker from Upstate New York. Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/helen-of-troy-a-hooker-from-upstate-new-york-never-got-a-dinner/)

[Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/)

> [Steven Spielberg's mother, who said to E.T., I don't care where you're from, you're here and you're gonna get bar mitzvahed! Never got a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/steven-spielberg-s-mother-who-said-to-e-t-i-don-t-care-where-you-re/)

[Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/)

[Explore all 97 Red Buttons quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/)

## More Accountants quotes

> [Once we allow ourselves to be disobedient to the test of an accountant's profit, we have begun to change our civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maynard-keynes/once-we-allow-ourselves-to-be-disobedient-to-the-test-of-an/)

[John Maynard Keynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maynard-keynes/)

> [I deliberately look for colorful people. They're very right for theatre. Theatre has to be theatrical. If you can get color into the accountant,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lanford-wilson/i-deliberately-look-for-colorful-people-they-re-very-right-for/)

[Lanford Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lanford-wilson/)

> [I could never have been an accountant. I got a D in math.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-marshall/i-could-never-have-been-an-accountant-i-got-a-d-in-math/)

[Rob Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-marshall/)

> [My greatest reward is knowing for certain, as I do with many other acts and artistes, that without Jonathan King being alive and involved,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-king/my-greatest-reward-is-knowing-for-certain-as-i-do-with-many-other/)

[Jonathan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-king/)

> [It is a maxim of cryptology that what one man can devise, another can unravel. This principle keeps armies of tax lawyers and accountants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-wriston/it-is-a-maxim-of-cryptology-that-what-one-man-can-devise-another-can/)

[Walter Wriston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-wriston/)

> [Fact is, the work place to a great extent is "where we live." We need star accountants. Boffo saleswomen. Over-the-top creatives in marketing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/fact-is-the-work-place-to-a-great-extent-is-where-we-live-we-need/)

[Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/)

> [Films are now made by accountants. They pick a pretty young female or male face out of the air and give them a part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/films-are-now-made-by-accountants-they-pick-a-pretty-young-female-or/)

[Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/)

> [She was my accountant, so I just believed her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-howard/she-was-my-accountant-so-i-just-believed-her/)

[John Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-howard/)

> [The rich hire lawyers and accountants for a reason - to pass the tax bill on to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/the-rich-hire-lawyers-and-accountants-for-a-reason-to-pass-the-tax/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

> [A lot of labels are hiring a lot more accountants than people that know music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hanson/a-lot-of-labels-are-hiring-a-lot-more-accountants-than-people-that/)

[Taylor Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hanson/)

> [We're living in a time period where if a kid is on a plastic scooter that's one inch off the ground, mom and dad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramin-bahrani/we-re-living-in-a-time-period-where-if-a-kid-is-on-a-plastic-scooter/)

[Ramin Bahrani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramin-bahrani/)

> [And it does no harm to repeat, as often as you can, 'Without me the literary industry would not exist: the publishers, the agents,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/and-it-does-no-harm-to-repeat-as-often-as-you-can-without-me-the/)

[Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/)

> [I didn't do anything differently than what my father was doing. It's a really hard family to rebel in. I could have become an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-townes-earle/i-didn-t-do-anything-differently-than-what-my-father-was-doing-it-s-a/)

[Justin Townes Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-townes-earle/)

> [While Donald Trump was busy with his accountants trying to figure out how to keep living like a billionaire, and all the while he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/while-donald-trump-was-busy-with-his-accountants-trying-to-figure-out/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [Property is my major investment. My accountant has put money into various long-term savings arrangements. To be honest, I am a bit vague about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-robinson/property-is-my-major-investment-my-accountant-has-put-money-into/)

[Anne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-robinson/)

Browse all 226 Accountants quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Bluebeard, who said to Scottland Yard, How do I know how many wives I've killed? I'm not an accountant! Never got a dinner!",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Red Buttons"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/bluebeard-who-said-to-scottland-yard-how-do-i-know-how-many-wives-i/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Accountants"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/bluebeard-who-said-to-scottland-yard-how-do-i-know-how-many-wives-i/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/136/red-buttons-6786_accountants_bluebeard-who-said-to-scottland-yard-how_1652503.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/136/red-buttons-6786_accountants_bluebeard-who-said-to-scottland-yard-how_1652503.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/136/red-buttons-6786_accountants_bluebeard-who-said-to-scottland-yard-how_1652503.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Bluebeard, who said to Scottland Yard, How do I know how many wives I've killed? I'm not an accountant!…” — Red Buttons",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Red Buttons",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Bluebeard, who said to Scottland Yard,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/bluebeard-who-said-to-scottland-yard-how-do-i-know-how-many-wives-i/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/bluebeard-who-said-to-scottland-yard-how-do-i-know-how-many-wives-i/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
