The young project manager was being quizzed by his programme manager about his third party vendor management skills and how he found dealing with suppliers.

“Well, I’ve come across a few suppliers who couldn’t do enough for you.”

“The majority do a reasonable job as long as you keep a close watch.”

“And one or two who you would be quite happy to throw onto the flames of a bonfire!”

“Ah!”, the programme manager responded, “those would be the burned at a stake holders.”

Hat tip to Jon Fawbert at the Office for National Statistics for this gem.