"Well, we could tell them that we're here on an archeological expedition"
About this Quote
The intent is practical (get us out of this) while the subtext is social (they’ll believe authority if it arrives dressed in jargon). “We’re here on” has the cadence of institutional speech: mission-driven, sanctioned, boring. “Archeological” evokes academia, grants, clipboards, people who don’t get hassled because no one wants to ask follow-up questions. It’s a satire of how status works: the more specialized the claim, the less likely it is to be challenged. You can hear the strategy embedded in the word choice - not “research,” not “work,” but something that sounds both noble and incomprehensible.
As a musician and TV-era performer, Adams understood how quickly reality can be redirected by tone. The humor doesn’t come from the expedition itself; it comes from watching someone weaponize earnestness. It’s an escape hatch made of cultural capital: if you can’t outrun scrutiny, out-costume it. In one sentence, Adams sketches the American faith that a confident story, properly branded, can become a temporary passport.
Quote Details
| Topic | Witty One-Liners |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
| Cite |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Adams, Edie. (2026, January 15). Well, we could tell them that we're here on an archeological expedition. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/well-we-could-tell-them-that-were-here-on-an-161248/
Chicago Style
Adams, Edie. "Well, we could tell them that we're here on an archeological expedition." FixQuotes. January 15, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/well-we-could-tell-them-that-were-here-on-an-161248/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"Well, we could tell them that we're here on an archeological expedition." FixQuotes, 15 Jan. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/well-we-could-tell-them-that-were-here-on-an-161248/. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

