Rehearsing for a benefit gig on Battersea Barge, Honey B Mama, who was doing the singing, told of a friend of hers, a Shakespearian actor, who has a resource permanently available in case he dries up on stage. If he ever forgets his line, rather than stand around gulping like a stunned fish, he immediately and resolutely declares: “I would fain as soon have jump a thicket as a pomegranate tree!” Utterly meaningless, but it sounds right! The stunned response of his fellow cast members helps distract attention from his plight, and once they’ve picked up again, he’s had time to rejoin the script.

Try it during your next meeting. Results guaranteed.