Meaning

The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated

The meaning of the phrase

Other Quotations Mark Twain quotation after hearing that his obituary had been published in the New York Journal. Mistaken publications of obituaries aren't as rare as you might expect. A recent example is of Dave Swarbrick, the British folk/rock violinist, who was killed off mistakenly by the Daily Telegraph in April 1999 when they reported that his visit to hospital in Coventry had resulted in his death. He did at least get the opportunity to read a rather favourable account of his life, not something we all get to do, and to deliver the gag "It's not the first time I have died in Coventry".

The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated

What’s the origin of the phrase ‘The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated’?

Other

Mark Twain quotation after hearing that his obituary had been published in the New York Journal.

Mistaken publications of obituaries aren’t as rare as you might expect. A recent example is of Dave Swarbrick, the British folk/rock violinist, who was killed off mistakenly by the Daily Telegraph in April 1999 when they reported that his visit to hospital in Coventry had resulted in his death. He did at least get the opportunity to read a rather favourable account of his life, not something we all get to do, and to deliver the gag “It’s not the first time I have died in Coventry”.

Historical trend

“my death are greatly exaggerated” in printed material over time

Source: Google Books Ngrams (1840–2020).

1840186018801900192019401960198020002020
  • my death are greatly exaggerated

Cited as a source

Referenced by 1 trusted source for this phrase

Backlink data verified June 2026 via Ahrefs (live index). These sources cite Phrase Finder as a reference for the meaning and origin of this expression.