HOMER Simpson's pearls of wisdom have joined literary giants Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw in a new Oxford dictionary of quotations.

The cartoon slob has been included for words of wisdom he dishes out to son Bart and daughter Maggie.

Homer's first entry, which dates back to 1994, shows his philosophy on positive thinking: "Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never to try."

Academics also picked up on Homer's parenting tips to shopkeeper Apu which were taken from a 1999 episode of The Simpsons. He says: "Kids are the best, Apu. You can teach them to hate the things you hate. And they practically raise themselves, what with the internet and all."

The entries in the Oxford Dictionary of Modern Quotations are listed under the Sky One cartoon's 53-year-old creator Matt Groening.

The show's ginger-bearded Scottish school janitor also gets a mention in the quotations' bible for famously branding the French "Cheese eating surrender monkeys" in a 1995 show.

Homer's unlikely inclusion is a final accolade for the lazy father who divides his time between, the bar, the couch and the power plant where he works.

It means his words are ranked alongside the likes of Churchill, Woody Allen and Albert Einstein in the book of 5000 quotes.

The dictionary is also home to the celebrated wit of Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw.