# "I'll be in my bunk" -- origin? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 7, 2010, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875 "2010-07-07T16:32:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/41 "2010-07-07T22:06:55Z")
Never watched Firefly and didn’t know it originated there. I thought it was from the military (going to your bunk), but for similar reasons that were explained above. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/42 "2010-07-07T22:32:47Z")
I was absolutely positive you guys were wrong, so I went over to Google groups (my default pop culture reference search spot) to check it out. But… Indeed the very first use found was from Jul 24, 2003 citing you know what. Wow. I’ll be in my cot of shame. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/43 "2010-07-07T22:43:27Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I saw _Firefly_ rather later than many folks on this board, such that I was already aware of “I’ll be in my bunk” before I saw it. So when I did see that episode, my reaction was something like “Oh, so that’s where that’s from”. Same here–in fact I only saw Firefly early this year, via Netflix. (Loved it; watched the whole series and the movie in the space of about a week.) But the meaning of the “bunk” phrase was always obvious, so it had never occurred to me that it was a specific reference. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/44 "2010-07-07T22:47:48Z")
I knew it was from Firefly, which I first saw in…I guess 2005? Something like that. Before Serenity (which I saw in previews) came out. I just wanted to add that I do see it in other places, but mostly they are very nerd-friendly. It’s not just here on the SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/45 "2010-07-07T23:35:13Z")
Places like [here](http://www.cafepress.com/fireflycargobay/1123356)? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/46 "2010-07-07T23:38:19Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > I knew it was from Firefly, which I first saw in…I guess 2005? Something like that. Before Serenity (which I saw in previews) came out. > > I just wanted to add that I do see it in other places, but mostly they are very nerd-friendly. It’s not just here on the SDMB. I’ve seen it often on FARK. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/47 "2010-07-07T23:53:14Z")
I’m usually the last person to hear of any Internet meme. This is a case in point. I never heard of this phrase until this thread! ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/48 "2010-07-08T00:21:51Z")
> [@tumbleddown](#): > > Okay so we know where it’s from, but there are several different recollections of what prompted it. What’s the actual motivation for \ to say it? Was it \ and her non-twixted nethers or was it \ caught in a sapphic clutch? Or something altogether different? It’s can’t be the “twixt my nethers” line because that was in the _movie_ and Jayne uses the phrase in the _TV series_ which preceded it. Jayne whips it out whenever something even vaguely sexual is said, particularly involving two women, just before he disappears. Presumably, he is exiting the scene to go to his bunk, as stated. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/49 "2010-07-08T00:35:34Z")
I’ve never seen _Firefly_ so I did not know the origin of this obnoxious SDMB catchphrase. Thanks to this thread I can now add it to the list of reasons why I hate Joss Whedon. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/50 "2010-07-08T00:41:06Z")
_It’s a sign of your own worth sometimes if you are hated by the right people._ **-Miles Franklin** ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/51 "2010-07-08T00:47:44Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > I’ve never seen _Firefly_ so I did not know the origin of this obnoxious SDMB catchphrase. Thanks to this thread I can now add it to the list of reasons why I hate Joss Whedon. Do you also hate Christmas and kick puppies? ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/52 "2010-07-08T01:18:19Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > _It’s a sign of your own worth sometimes if you are hated by the right people._ > **-Miles Franklin** > [@Frodo](#): > > Do you also hate Christmas and kick puppies? In case anyone was wondering what the #1 item on my list was, it’s the fanatical behavior of certain members of Mr. Whedon’s fan base. FWIW I have no problem with those of you who simply enjoy Whedon’s work and aren’t annoying about it. I’m sure there are things I like that you think are awful. I don’t have any interest in converting his fans, and believe me, I never would have opened this thread if I’d realized it had anything to do with Joss Whedon. It’s still an obnoxious catchphrase though, and I’d be happy to see it fade away. It’s not automatically funny just because it’s a line from a TV show, people. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/53 "2010-07-08T01:23:16Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > In case anyone was wondering what the #1 item on my list was, it’s the fanatical behavior of certain members of Mr. Whedon’s fan base. > > FWIW I have no problem with those of you who simply enjoy Whedon’s work and aren’t annoying about it. I’m sure there are things I like that you think are awful. I don’t have any interest in converting his fans, and believe me, I never would have opened this thread if I’d realized it had anything to do with Joss Whedon. > > It’s still an obnoxious catchphrase though, and I’d be happy to see it fade away. It’s not automatically funny just because it’s a line from a TV show, people. 'Make sure you use some Thread Toilet Paper to clean up from your Threadshitting. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/54 "2010-07-08T01:28:53Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > It’s still an obnoxious catchphrase though, and I’d be happy to see it fade away. It’s not automatically funny just because it’s a line from a TV show, people. I thought it was funny long before I learned it was from a TV show. Still do. I find most oblique references to masturbation, breasts, or flatulence to be funny. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/55 "2010-07-08T02:46:45Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > 'Make sure you use some Thread Toilet Paper to clean up from your Threadshitting. Neither the title nor the OP indicated that this was a _Firefly_ fan thread, or that people who didn’t like the catchphrase shouldn’t reply. I note you didn’t even bother to answer the OP’s question, so of the two of us I’m the only one who’s been at all on-topic here. But don’t worry, I won’t interrupt the lovefest any longer. It’s getting late here anyway and I’ve got work in the morning, so I’ll be in…my bunk. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/56 "2010-07-08T03:24:32Z")
I have no idea if it’s related, but in _It’s a Wonderful Life_ (1946), There’s this exchange as the sexy Violet walks by (pertinent part by Bert the cop bolded): Little Violet: Good afternoon Mr. Bailey. George Bailey: Hello, Violet. George Bailey: Hey, you look good, that’s some dress you got on there. Little Violet: This old thing? Why, I only wear it when I don’t care how I look. Ernie Bishop: How would you like to take… George Bailey: -Yes. Ernie Bishop: Want to come along, Bert? We’ll show you the town. Bert: No, thanks… **I think I’ll go home and see what the wife’s doing.** Ernie Bishop: Family man. (I’ve never heard of Firefly.) ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/57 "2010-07-08T03:26:54Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Places like [here](http://www.cafepress.com/fireflycargobay/1123356)? 😃 I absolutely MUST have the large coffee mug for work, simply because I would bet my Jayne hat that nobody, nobody there at all would ‘get’ it, or have a clue what it’s from, and would also be confused if I tried to explain it. 😛 So…I just won’t. And if somebody does go ‘OOOOOOH!’ and knows where it’s from, then I’ll finally have connected with someone here in the desert. \>.\< ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/58 "2010-07-08T03:38:12Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Places like [here](http://www.cafepress.com/fireflycargobay/1123356)? 😃 That’s a lot of bunk! ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/59 "2010-07-08T04:32:54Z")
I could have sworn it was a line from a **Duran Duran** song, you know, that one about South America. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875/60 "2010-07-08T05:45:33Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > FWIW I have no problem with those of you who simply enjoy Whedon’s work and aren’t annoying about it. I’m sure there are things I like that you think are awful. I don’t have any interest in converting his fans, and believe me, I never would have opened this thread if I’d realized it had anything to do with Joss Whedon. Did you not notice in the OP that **AuntiePam** originally thought the SDMB made it up? The line has transcended where it’s originally come from and is often just appreciated now because its funny. As this thread shows, a lot of people have no idea where it came from and just find it funny. > [@Lamia](#): > > It’s still an obnoxious catchphrase though, and I’d be happy to see it fade away. It’s not automatically funny just because it’s a line from a TV show, people. You’re right, its not. Its funny because its funny. There’s no need to be condescending about it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-in-my-bunk-origin/545875.md?page=4)