This stuff about "plagiarism" really is total crap.

I am sure that essentially the same point, using essentially the same examples even, will have been made in conversations and discussions a myriad times.

And I am quite sure that all of us who spend excessive time taking part in online discussions will use arguments and examples that we've picked up from other people along the way time and time again, without the need for obsessive attributions.

There are two main reasons for putting a name to a quote. The main one is because it's a way of reinforcing what we are saying by bringing in a respected person as a kind of ally. The other reason as an act of courtesy towards someone who might see it as a slight to be quoted without attribution.

But is there supposed to be some rigid rule that every time we use a quip or a neat phrase or a joke which someone else had used first - and probably didn't even make up themselves, we have to give chapter and verse?