Know What I Mean, Verne: 12 Catchphrases That Make No Sense Out of Context
![Know What I Mean, Verne: 12 Catchphrases That Make No Sense Out of Context](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/8/0/1/896801_320x180.jpg)
It’s hard to tell at the time, but almost every sitcom in history has subtly thrown in some buzzwords and catchphrases, hoping for a keeper. That sweet, sweet laugh from the studio audience was all they needed to pepper in that bad boy every few episodes for years to come. Most are pretty straight forward, and there’s no mistaking what they mean. When Blossom’s brother Joey Russo exclaims, “Whoa,” by golly, the guy means, “Whoa!” But unless you follow Sheldon Cooper’s silly little “pranks,” you’d have no idea what the completely made up “Bazinga” meant.
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Turns out it was a real life catchphrase one of the writers would use when he successfully pulled off a prank. Interesting. And overall, pretty silly. It, like “Zoinks” feels right in a kids’ cartoon, but Jim Parsons was 45 in that final season, and Sheldon is supposed to be a genius. Who are we to judge? We’re not here to say if it’s good or bad (not today, anyways), we’re just saying that it, and 11 other catchphrases, make absolutely no sense out of context.
We get a greasy feeling hearing this word. Because of all that context.
![GRACKED GIGGITY Without context, you might think Glenn Quagmire's nonsense word for his horniness is half of a gigabyte. Or maybe Pauly Shore's word for a gig. FAMILY GUY](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/3/1/1/896311.jpg)
You want a cowboy? Here’s your cowboy!
![GRACKED YIPPEE KI YAY, MOTHERF***ER You'd first have to know that Yippee ki yay is a cowboy term from Western star Roy Rogers. Then you'd have to know that the villain, Hans Gruber, calls John McClane a cowboy throughout the movie. He's basically saying, I'm your cowboy. DIE HARD](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/3/1/0/896310.jpg)
13 Origin Stories Behind Iconic Catchphrases / Industrial Scripts
Where’s this rubber hose you speak of, Vinnie?
![GRACKED UP YOUR NOSE WITH A RUBBER HOSE When John Travolta's character Vinnie Barbarino uses this sassy, sing-songy line, he kind of means Shove it, Up yours, and Whatever all rolled into one. WELCOME BACK KOTTER](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/3/0/4/896304.jpg)
We always thought it popped up on screen when ‘60s Batman punched someone.
![GRACKED BAZINGA! Meant as a Gotcha! after a prank or joke at someone's expense. It's impossible to decipher this made-up, nonsense word from just reading it. THE BIG BANG THEORY](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/3/0/5/896305.jpg)
Sorry, Scooby Doo fans.
![GRACKED ZOINKS! When Shaggy is surprised or scared, his Zoinks in that high-pitch, squeaky voice irks us all the way down our spines. SCOOBY DOO](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/3/0/2/896302.jpg)
Ooh, there she is now.
![GRACKED I'M COMIN' TO JOIN YA, ELIZABETH When Fred Sanford is being overdramatic, he clutches his heart like he's having a heart attack, looks up to the sky and proclaims, I'm comin' to join ya, Elizabeth. Elizabeth is his deceased wife, but without context, you'd think he's just joining her in the next room. SANFORD AND SON](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/3/0/9/896309.jpg)
Like an iPod?
![GRACKED NANU, NANU Not an Apple product, this Orkan greeting is like Aloha, in that it can mean hello and goodbye. MORK AND MINDY](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/3/0/7/896307.jpg)
On a break from what, Ross?
![GRACKED WE WERE ON A BREAK! Is this someone telling their boss that they weren't at their desk because they were out having a smoke? Nope. It's Ross Geller screaming to Rachel that kissing the copy girl was technically okay since he and Rachel were on a break from their relationship. FRIENDS](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/3/0/8/896308.jpg)
What did she say? Did I miss something important?
![GRACKED THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID Without context, we'd all be asking well, what did she say? This is the punchline to a setup that changes constantly. You'd have to get the joke, then become a stenographer replaying the last line, hunting for the innuendo. THE OFFICE](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/3/0/3/896303.jpg)
Is this like a “Candyman” thing where this Marcia person pops up and kills me?
![GRACKED MARCIA, MARCIA, MARCIA! Poor Jan lived in the shadow of her popular older sister Marcia, so this lament isn't her summoning Candyman or Beetlejuice, she's basically saying, I'm sick of hearing about how great Marcia is! THE BRADY BUNCH](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/3/0/0/896300.jpg)
No, Alf! You have so much to live for.
![GRACKED I KILL ME Not a caveman saying he'll kill himself, this is Alf being amused by his own joke. You know... Killing. Like a comedian on stage. We get it now, Alf. ALF](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/3/0/1/896301.jpg)
“Giggity” before there was “Giggity.”
![GRACKED SCHWING Wayne and Garth's likability helps this one's acceptability. When they see a hot chick, the dancey thrust motion that accompanies Schwing tells us that Schwing is the sound effect for something growing in their pants. WALNE'S WAYNE'S WORLD you](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/3/0/6/896306.jpg)