From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[edit] Catchphrases

Most famous Catchphrases

• "Do'h!" - Homer - has achieved such mainstream usage as to be featured in the Oxford English Dictionary
• "Ay caramba" - Bart - featured on t-shirts
• "Eat my shorts" - Bart - featured on t-shirts
• "Don't have a cow, man!" - Bart - featured on t-shirts (somewhat parodied in the episode "Bart Gets Famous")
• "Ha Ha" - Nelson Muntz
• "Hi Everybody!" - Dr. Nick
• "Excellent..." - Mr. Burns
• constant laughter - Dr. Hibert
• "Yessss!" - the Yesss guy

[edit] Catchphrases that Define the Characters

Many main characters have catch phrases that serve to illuminate the nature of the speaker's character. This is sometimes shown explicitly, as the characters' thoughts are broadcast for the audience to hear. Homer's "Mmmm... [something]" shows his weakness for pleasure, while Marge's disapproving throat noise displays her innate uncertainty and nervous nature. Lisa is perhaps the only speaking member of the core family with no "catch-phrase" vocalization (With the possible exception of the rarely heard "If anyone wants me, I'll be in my room"), although she does say "D'oh!" in one episode.

On the other hand, Maggie's character is shown only through body language, as she is unable to speak during regular episodes and is prevented from doing so in the episodes which take place in the future (although one episode reveals that her first word is 'Daddy'). Her falls are a common background noise in early episodes of the show. Finally, Abraham Simpson's frailty is demonstrated by the ease and speed with which he falls asleep. Numerous phrases also exist for other characters, including Nelson Muntz's "Ha-ha!", Dr. Nick's "Hi Everybody!" and Mr. Burns' "Excellent...", Dr. Hiberts constant laughing or Barney Gumble's belch.

The contrast between the world of the commercial and real life is also a major theme put forward by the show's catch phrases. Krusty the Clown often starts his TV shows with a cry of "Hey-hey, kids!" and a distinctive laugh, which is a great contrast to his off-screen personality. Similarly, actor Troy McClure always introduced himself with the phrase 'Hi, I'm Troy McClure, you may remember me from such (whatever) as (insert cheesy-sounding program titles)...'. Dr. Nick Riviera seems unable to remove himself from the world of infomercials that he is seen to appear in, and always announces his entrances with "Hi, everybody!," to which everybody in the room responds "Hi, Dr. Nick!".

The word 'yoink' is often said by a character after stealing or taking something from another character. In the show, it is almost as if the word 'yoink' itself automatically transfers ownership of the item.

In recent seasons the family themselves acknowledge the different places they are going to by declaring "The Simpsons are going to...", Rio, London, Delaware etc.