12 Surprising Origins Of Your Favorite Characters’ Iconic Catchphrases and Mannerisms

By:
12 Surprising Origins Of Your Favorite Characters’ Iconic Catchphrases and Mannerisms

Paramount Pictures, Adult Swim

Ah, yes, the power of a phrase. It can bring us joy or make us laugh, it can evoke deep emotions or make us think. It can bring us back to a certain time or place, or even make us feel nostalgic. It can inspire us to greatness or make us feel like we’re part of a larger movement. It can even make us feel like we’re part of something bigger than ourselves.

This list is a tribute to the power of words, to the catchphrases that have become part of our collective consciousness. From Mike Myers and Dana Carvey’s impersonation of Lorne Michaels to Wesley Willis’ classic "Whip the Llama’s Ass" to Tom Hanks’ Oscar-winning performance in Forrest Gump, these phrases have shaped our culture and our language.

We really hope you enjoy this list of some of the most iconic catchphrases in history. So, without further ado, let’s get cracking.

"Wubalubadubdub" - Curly meets 'Rick and Morty'.

RICK AND MORTY wubalubadubdub The nonsense phrase was inspired by the Three Stooges; it was supposed to be like that sound Curly makes that you can't quite describe. The final version ended up being so dumb, the writers hoped it wouldn't catch on. CRACKED

Adult Swim,
Columbia Pictures

Den of Geek

"Zoinks!" and "like" - the Casey Kasem way.

SHAGGY that high- pitched voice Casey Kasem was the voice of Shaggy in the 1969 Scooby-Doo cartoon, and a big influence on Shaggy's voice was another popular TV character from Our Miss Brooks, who spoke in a high squeaky voice and was always very breathy. CRACKED

Hanna-Barbera,
CBS

Cartoon Research

"I Want My MTV" - George Lois’ genius.

MTV SIC TELEVISION MTV i want my MTV I WANT MY МАУРО! Ad guy George Lois came up with the phrase I Want My MTV to get young people off the couch and to call their cable companies to demand that MTV be added to their services. Не swiped a maple syrup tagline - II Want My Maypo. CRACKED

MTV,
Maltex Co.

Variety

Tom Hanks: Oscar-winning actor, inspired by his brother’s B-movie character.

FORREST GUMP the way he acts Tom Hanks apparently took inspiration from his brother Jim's B-movie character Jeeter Buford in Buford's Beach Bunnies. So, yeah, without one weird movie you've probably never heard of, there's no Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. CRACKED

Paramount Pictures,
Axis Films International

Showbiz CheatSheet

Cartman: A Classic Blend of Misogyny and Neanderthalism.

ERIC CARTMAN the way he acts Cartman is a spiritual successor to a popular All in the Family character. I'd say within the first season, we kind of realized Cartman's like a little Archie Bunker, says Trey Parker. CRACKED

Comedy Central,
CBS

NPR

Classic comedy inspiration.

BUGS BUNNY the way he acts and talks The phrase What's up, Doc? and Bugs' iconic behavior were based on the 1934 romantic comedy It Happened One Night, starring Clark Gable. CRACKED

Warner Bros.,
Columbia Pictures

/Film

Scroll down for the next article

Must Read

MUST READ

Forgot Password?