But it was also a throwback to a form of behaviour which, however natural it might have seemed to officer cadets in the First World War, was excruciatingly embarrassing to succeeding generations of Magdalen men.

The Brown Bunny: "An excruciatingly embarrassing display of ego and ineptitude."

As Farrah got older and could no longer do bimbo parts, she started to put on intellectual airs, attending drama classes and pitching for 'proper' roles, something which Bruce found excruciatingly embarrassing.

Chatting privately of such stuff with a friend may provide comfort and emotional satisfaction; having it retailed nightly by Brokaw, Jennings, Rather and Rupert Murdoch will be excruciatingly embarrassing.

Two young losers' thoughts are audible, and excruciatingly embarrassing.

The State Department has revealed parts of its files - including the excruciatingly embarrassing fan letters about him that kept coming from the U.S. Embassy in Vienna.

Witnessing this as an adolescent was excruciatingly embarrassing.

It was excruciatingly embarrassing to read the quotes and find myself coming over as a lonely, crusading 'woman who waits'.

But the aim of this was to be as excruciatingly embarrassing as possible.

But when you are not good, thought Margaret, remembering the distance between herself and her lines; the woodenness she had struggled with; when you are not good, then the whole thing is excruciatingly embarrassing.