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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
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Dan Atkinson

Wagatha Christie™? My pun’s been trademarked, but the joke is on me

Rebekah Vardy arrives at Royal Courts of Justice in London in her case against Coleen Rooney in May 2022.
Rebekah Vardy arrives at Royal Courts of Justice in London during her case against Coleen Rooney in May 2022. Photograph: Karwai Tang/WireImage

Three years, six months and 13 days ago, I tweeted the words “Coleen Rooney: Agatha Christie”. Well, that’s not quite what I tweeted. I inserted a “W” before the Agatha, creating a disposable pun that somehow went viral. To my bemusement the joke was emblazoned across countless headlines worldwide. You may be wondering why have I introduced my famous pun in such a tortured fashion. Well, I’m trying to avoid getting sued.

This week the world discovered that Rebekah Vardy has trademarked the phrase-who-shall-not-be-named, meaning that she can make money from using W****** C******* as a brand or unleash cash-thirsty lawyers on anyone else who dares use it.

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