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When Austin Powers says this phrase? Is it considered to be somewhat of an exception to normal use, like with,

Myself is often used where I or me might be expected,

Or was it more abnormal than that, and was just a joke? I'm not sure of other instances where it's used commonly in a similar manner.

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  • Have you looked at other questions on the topic such as this or this or done any other research beyond consulting a dictionary (which isn't a good source for grammar, compared to a grammar book)?
    – Stuart F
    Commented Sep 12, 2023 at 11:24
  • I know they are reflexive, but as the dictionary points out, there are common exceptions.
    – user487296
    Commented Sep 12, 2023 at 11:26
  • Both the links you provide lead to the dictionary. No, it is not 'fine' - see this question. Only you can 'allow yourself' to do something.
    – Kate Bunting
    Commented Sep 12, 2023 at 11:43
  • I'm not clear on what you're saying. Are you saying the common "allow me to introduce myself" is wrong? If you have an answer, can make an answer.
    – user487296
    Commented Sep 12, 2023 at 12:47
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    Austin Powers had a number of language quirks. Misuse of language is a common trope of characters trying to sound high-class.
    – Barmar
    Commented Sep 12, 2023 at 17:05

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OK, since the moderators haven't migrated this, I'll risk incurring criticism and answer it.

He should have said "Allow me to introduce myself."

It doesn't make sense to ask another person to allow 'yourself' to do something - only you can allow yourself or, to put it another way, only I can allow myself.

Presumably the joke is that Austin Powers is supposedly a suave English gentleman, but here he uses bad English.

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  • So you don't think it fits under the definition in the question, used where 'I' or 'me' is expected?
    – user487296
    Commented Sep 12, 2023 at 16:31
  • Note that M-W says "Critics have frowned on these uses since about the turn of the century". Opinions differ as to how acceptable it is to use myself instead of me in sentences like Please return the completed forms to myself. See the first 'Linked' question in the right-hand column. But I don't think many people would consider Austin's line to be good English.
    – Kate Bunting
    Commented Sep 12, 2023 at 16:43
  • Ok that's question I had, sounds like it's a matter of opinion. To be clear, I was asking if it fits with the normal usage that critics have frowned on, or not. It sounds like they would call it bad English whether it was normal or not.
    – user487296
    Commented Sep 12, 2023 at 16:47
  • See also this one
    – Kate Bunting
    Commented Sep 12, 2023 at 16:50
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    The joke is that Powers is a high-toned buffoon, not regal, elegant, or proper. His script is filled with such malapropisms.
    – Yosef Baskin
    Commented Sep 12, 2023 at 22:13

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