Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States, was known as "Silent Cal" because he was so miserly with his words.

In a famous incident, as recalled by his wife Grace, a young woman sat down at Coolidge's table at a White House dinner and said, "You really must talk to me, Mr. Coolidge. I made a bet today that I could get more than two words out of you."

Coolidge's reply?

"You lose."