home > People > Quotations
Tags: people, quotations, funny, videos, movie quotes, tv quotes, 80's, quotes, 1980's, 1980s
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases
A list of the twenty greatest, most memorable and most popular catch phrases from 80s TV, film and advertising. Catch phrases are a fixture in pop culture, and the generation that came of age during the 1980s should get a rush of nostalgia from revisiting these "pre-Internet memes" and jokes from 30 years ago or more.
A number of these catch phrases have remained popular, or have undergone a renaissance in recent years. Mr. T's memorable "I pity the fool" has remained his most recognizable routine, and figured in to the recent big screen adaptation of the show "The A-Team." Al Pacino's delivery of the key line from Brian De Palma's "Scarface" remains a frequently parodied and iconic movie moment.
Though catch phrases are often depicted as hacky or mocked as a low-brow form of comedy, it's undeniable that they have the power to connect millions of people around a humorous phrase or observation. Below are 20 of our favorite examples. Vote for your favorites and leave other suggestions in the comments!
A number of these catch phrases have remained popular, or have undergone a renaissance in recent years. Mr. T's memorable "I pity the fool" has remained his most recognizable routine, and figured in to the recent big screen adaptation of the show "The A-Team." Al Pacino's delivery of the key line from Brian De Palma's "Scarface" remains a frequently parodied and iconic movie moment.
Though catch phrases are often depicted as hacky or mocked as a low-brow form of comedy, it's undeniable that they have the power to connect millions of people around a humorous phrase or observation. Below are 20 of our favorite examples. Vote for your favorites and leave other suggestions in the comments!
- 1Up 95Down 37
I pity the fool...
ORIGIN:
The A-Team. B.A. BARACUS would often say it in reference to someone who would mess with him/the team.
USE:
This is basically what Mr. T is known for. It probably doesn't help that he still dresses, speaks and acts exactly like the character that coined the phrase.
This phrase may also be used in reference to absolutely anyone who is about to get their ass kicked. - 2Up 56Down 20
Say hello to my little friend
ORIGIN:
Scarface. The main character (Tony Montana) unleashes a Tommy Gun from under his coat and exclaims to the people he's shooting to "say hello to [his] little friend. It's such a ridiculous, funny, yet violent part of the movie, it really stuck with everyone.
USE:
Whenever you brandish pretty much anything of power or importance by surprise, you can use this phrase. It's been so overdone in pop culture at this point that a lot of people don't even know what it's from.
It's often been used to brandish literal "little friends" from under coats (little people, fictional characters, penises). - 3Up 48Down 16
I'll Be Back
ORIGIN:
Terminator. The first one. Arnold's Terminator character is at a police station and is told to wait for something. He calmly tells the officer at the counter that he'll be back. He drives a freaking car through the police station.
USE:
Pretty much any time Arnold Scharzenegger leaves any place, he still uses this quote of his to state the fact that he will return. This has been parodied/lampooned in pop culture ever since its inception and has since become the most memorable line from the Terminator franchise next to "Come with me if you want to live". - 4Up 33Down 10
Where's the beef?
- 5Up 50Down 26
Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?
ORIGIN:
The popular catchphrase said in almost every episode by Gary Coleman's character "Arnold" in the popular 80s TV show Diff'rnt Strokes.
USE:
The catchphrase penetrated pop culture in a way that few others have. It's still the thing that has carried Gary Coleman's career, and will forever be his legacy. They had plenty of guest stars come on/off the show and occasionally they would be graced with Arnold asking what they were talking about.
Say what you will about Coleman, or catchphrases in general, but these moments were often the highlight of every episode.
Now, some people use it as just a way to ask what someone is saying.
items 1 - 5 of 20
today on Ranker
start a list with results
close sorting window
Rank Name
use the search box to filter your list
The Master
leave a comment
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 12/04/2012 12:30 AM
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 11/17/2012 2:30 AM
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 10/26/2012 4:30 PM
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 10/20/2012 5:30 PM
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 10/10/2012 7:30 PM
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 10/06/2012 12:30 AM
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 8/05/2012 7:30 AM
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 7/26/2012 4:30 AM
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 7/23/2012 9:30 PM
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 7/04/2012 6:30 PM
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 7/04/2012 11:30 AM
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 4/23/2012 6:28 PM
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 4/23/2012 6:21 PM
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 8/22/2011 11:13 AM
I am a great fan of movies and all the movies mentioned above i have downloaded. Great piece of information. Nice share
Best Regards,
Janet.arnie@gmail.com
http://www.writeawriting.com
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 8/07/2011 11:28 PM
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 3/03/2011 8:57 AM
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 10/08/2010 3:50 AM
Gag me with a spoon! at 9/30/2010 9:14 PM
... You wouldn't like me when I'm angry. at 9/30/2010 9:12 PM
The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 9/15/2010 4:57 PM
I Want My MTV at 8/22/2010 5:35 AM
Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon? at 7/04/2010 12:46 AM
Say hello to my little friend at 7/04/2010 12:41 AM
I pity the fool... at 7/04/2010 12:38 AM
Say hello to my little friend at 6/09/2010 12:52 PM
And the word of the day is... at 6/03/2010 12:32 PM
I Want My MTV at 6/03/2010 12:28 PM
And the word of the day is... at 6/03/2010 6:57 AM
The "Secret Word" originated with Groucho Marx's "You Bet Your Life, where a stuffed duck would drop down from the rafters revealing the day's word with Groucho remarking, "Say the secret word and win $100."
Obviously, Paul Reubens is a fan of '50s and '60s cultural memorabilia, with his catch phrase, "I know YOU are, but what am I?" and such phrases like "Fan mail from some flounder?" which originated on Rocky and Bullwinkle. I am quite certain that he got the "Secret Word" idea from Groucho, the father of so much of what we now know as comedy.