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The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases
The Master 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!
- 16Up 11Down 15
I kill me
ORIGIN:
Alf's catchphrase.
Alf is a fictional puppet Alien from the planet Melmack who likes eating cats. A human family adopted him and takes care of him... with hilarious consequences.
This phrase continues to wedge itself into pop culture here and there, whenever an egotistical person/character makes themselves laugh.
But where it all started was Alf. - 17Up 11Down 15
And the word of the day is...
ORIGIN:
In the kids' show Pee Wee's Playhouse, a robot named Conker would always dispense a piece of paper with the secret word of the day. Pee Wee would show it to the audience and his puppet friends. Every time this word was said throughout this episode everyone in the show would scream and a bell would be rung. It was a celebration of the word and would often happen with inopportune words (see clip to the left).
USE:
The secret word of the day, as a concept, was one of the few catchphrases that Pee Wee's playhouse actually had. It is still one of the most well-known parts of the show, quoted by people who have never even watched the show. If someone instates a secret word of the day, then that word must be acknowledged in some way shape or form. It's used as a teaching technique in elementary schools sometimes, even, to expand children's lexicons (and miiinds!). It all started with Pee Wee. - 18Up 9Down 15
... And knowing is half the battle!
ORIGIN:
The original G.I. Joe cartoons would often include public service announcements at the end featuring some of the G.I.Joe crew teaching children important life lessons like first aid, how to swim and what to do if your friend is in danger.
USE:
After the Joes were done teaching their unsolicited lesson to the unsuspecting, ignorant/naive children, the children would always say "and now we know!" The Joes, then, would very cockily say to the camera "and knowing is half the battle". This phrase was always followed by the theme song of the show.
G.I. Joooooooooooooe - 19Up 5Down 13
Holy macanoli!
ORIGIN:
Punky Brewster, the tween scamp that won the hearts of America.
USE:
Whenever surprised, shocked, or in disbelief Soleil Moon Frye would yell this Punky Brewster catch phrase, which turned into a great way for other little kids around the country to kind of swear without actually swearing. - 20Up 6Down 15
Thunder, Thunder, Thundercats... Hooo!
ORIGIN:
The Saturday morning TV show Thundercats featured a triumphant call to action/power as a very phallic and powerful sword would double in size and grant the holder (LionO, the main character of the show) with greater abilities. Every time he needed to fight, he would call upon the power of the sword at its full potential by screaming "Thunder, Thunder, Thundercats... Hooo!"
USE:
It was the primary catchphrase of this show and it became a catchphrase in skits and a few lampooning cartoons when references to 80s cartoon shows became popular.
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The Twenty Greatest 80s Catch Phrases at 12/04/2012 12:30 AM
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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.