# Media references that NOBODY ever gets. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 17, 2003, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498 "2003-12-17T07:55:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![cbawlmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/61 "2003-12-17T21:59:44Z")
\*\*Larry Mudd:[/b} Larry “Bud” Melman isn’t dead! Well, maybe the character is, but Calvert Deforest is still alive. ---
**Author:** ![Ersatz\_Shmoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@Ersatz\_Shmoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ersatz_Shmoe)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/62 "2003-12-17T22:03:35Z")
Whenever I’m explaining something to someone and they finally get that glimmer of understanding in their eyes, I usually respond with “Ah-haaah” in my best Eddie Murphy-old-Jewish-man voice (from the end of Coming to America). Only once has anyone gotten that. ---
**Author:** ![Murcielago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Murcielago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Murcielago)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/63 "2003-12-17T22:08:18Z")
From K. Kline in _A Fish Called Wanda_: “ok…ok…DISAPPOINTED!!” (preparing to apologize) “i’m sorry…i’m so very sorry…FUCK YOUUUU!” Bums me out that so few people get those. ---
**Author:** ![Tygr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df788c/32.png) [@Tygr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tygr)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/64 "2003-12-17T22:14:58Z")
**Eve** , I know “Tain’t funny, McGee!” from some Looney Tunes cartoon or other. Amazing how many older references can be traced to these. I mean, I won’t watch Groucho Marx movies precisely because he lifted one of Bugs Bunny’s signature lines, “Of course you realize this means war!” 😉 In what’s probably a sad commentary about me, a great many of my reference lines are from commercials. **"Hey, good lookin! We’ll be back to pick you up later!"** -From a Ronco® ad for _Mister Microphone_™. My family always shouts this through empty cardboard tubes, because twenty years ago, when Ronco was in its heyday, we bought a 45 record of ad parodies and one of them was for “Crapco’s ® _Mister Cardboard Tube_™”, which also used this line. **"Ever hear of origami?"** - From a Little Caesars Pizza ad. Said whenever confronted with an empty cardboard box. Followed by folding/spindling/mutilating box into bizzare shape and proudly proclaiming, “A Pterodactyl!” then bounding off making loud cawing noises. ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/65 "2003-12-17T22:33:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tygr \* > **Eve, I know “Tain’t funny, McGee!” from some Looney Tunes cartoon or other.** I believe it’s actually from _Fibber McGee and Molly_, from radio days: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibber\_McGee\_and\_Molly](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibber_McGee_and_Molly). All I know for sure is that it was one of my grandmother’s favorite expressions! ---
**Author:** ![Tygr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df788c/32.png) [@Tygr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tygr)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/66 "2003-12-17T22:35:54Z")
Hm. I don’t know why both of my examples involved cardboard. I don’t have a fetish, I swear. Guess my flu-ravaged brain just can’t think beyond its current state. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/67 "2003-12-17T22:38:58Z")
My most frequently used obscure movie reference: Whenever I pass along something at work, or hand a potato to a kitchen helper who’s peeling them, or hand a wet dish to someone who’s drying them, etc., I say, “Skin that one, Pilgrim, and I’ll get you another.” (Will Geer to Robert Redford in “Jeremiah Johnson,” when Geer leads a wild grizzly into a cabin and traps him there with Redford.) Also from Jeremiah Johnson, whenever anyone suggests a plan that seems mundane or overworn, “I _been_ to a town.” (Robert Redford’s response when someone asks him why he doesn’t leave the mountains and go live in the town.) “Peanuts!” whenever I see peanuts, from Arthur. “Raise your hand if ‘eew’!” from Buffy. “Well o_kay_ then.” from Raising Arizona. God, I’m sure I’ll think of others as soon as I hit submit. “Could be worse. Could be rainin.” ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/68 "2003-12-17T22:40:44Z")
Oh! Oh oh! “Now pick up your face and _sit on that egg!_” Classic Looney Tunes. And of course, “Thanks for the \_\_\_\_\_, Popeye.” ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/69 "2003-12-17T22:43:10Z")
I must have got him confused with Bud Dwyer again, **cbawlmer**. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/70 "2003-12-17T22:46:36Z")
**"I was … the French Lieutenant’s WHORE!"** from “the French Lieutenant’s Woman,” quoted to my wife whenever she’s needling me about my ex-girlfriends. \*\*“When you speak of this, and you will, please be kind.” \*\*from, I think, “Tea and Sympathy.” I’ve used this at business presentations. If one person recognizes it and laughs, even the ones who don’t get it will go along. **"Much too good for a boy the likes of you!"** From “Great Expectations,” \*\*usefull for a lot of things besides savory pork pie. **"Whip me, spurn me, use me for your spaniel!"** (Shakespeare has a lot of good ones like this) ---
**Author:** ![presidebt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c37758/32.png) [@presidebt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/presidebt)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/71 "2003-12-17T22:49:36Z")
_It pisses off all the right people._ Kevin Spacey’s character in **Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil** , especially in heated political conversations. _Ted Kennedy was shot?_ From **When Harry Met Sally**. Harry explains to Bruno Kirby’s character that’s what his very young girlfriend said when he asked her where she was when Kennedy was shot. I like to use this when the implication is I’m too young to know about something (which, believe it or not, still happens at 32). ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/72 "2003-12-17T22:58:26Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Cervaise_ > Another one from Life in Hell that never fails to crack me up when I get to use it but that nobody ever recognizes: “Where the Elite Meet to Eat Re-Heated Meaty Treats.” -Used when I’m with a group of people going out to dinner, and we finally settle on a restaurant. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/73 "2003-12-17T22:58:51Z")
From **Perfect Strangers** “We’re so happy we do the dance joy! La, La,La, la, Hey, hey hey!” You’d think more people would join me in the dance of joy… ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/74 "2003-12-17T23:07:37Z")
“It’s a Versace!” Pronounced to rhyme with “her FACE”–usually gets me corrected. DUH! “I’D BUY THAT FOR A DOLLAR!” ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/75 "2003-12-17T23:09:53Z")
“It’s like Elvis, 'cept different.” ---
**Author:** ![DarkPrince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@DarkPrince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarkPrince)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/76 "2003-12-17T23:11:10Z")
Whenever I’m going somewhere with people and someone asks who’s driving I always reply with, “Oh my god, Bear’s driving! How can that be?!” The look on their face is priceless when they have no clue where it’s from. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BraheSilver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@BraheSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BraheSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/77 "2003-12-17T23:18:05Z")
> [@](#): > > I would like to thank everyone who has provided the source of their quotes. Doesn’t do much good to provide “media references that NOBODY ever gets” if you don’t tell us what you’re talking about, does it? And it doesn’t stay obscure if we explain it to all 42,000+ Dopers, now does it? 😛 Okay, okay. “Belgium” is from _Life, the Universe, and Everything_ by Douglas Adams. Arthur meets a character who has won an award for “the most gratuitous use of the word ‘Belgium,’” which is apparently a horrible profanity across the galaxy (except for some stupid little planet that named a country after it, can you believe it). So I shout it when I’m feeling irritated yet alert enough to be clever. And from the Simpsons: “T.J. MacGillicuddy’s All-American Steakery and Eatatorium!” from when Dr. Hibbert’s family is deciding on a place to eat. Nobody gets this one. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/78 "2003-12-17T23:31:52Z")
Course I’m an excellent driver. Bout a hundred dollars. ---
**Author:** ![haardvark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@haardvark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/haardvark)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/79 "2003-12-17T23:41:32Z")
I have a couple of MASH ones in my toolkit that no-one picks up on anymore: “Get up [person’s name, replacing Radar], you’ll get dirt in y’r noze” (slurred a bit drunkenly) [to a pregnant person] “Doctors know what causes that now” And the Simpsons: [baby Lisa voice] “Davih Hassahofff” [homer’s voice, in response to a "I’m not leaving until…etc.] “…and **I’m** not leaving until I get a hot dog!” and I’m curious to know if anyone else gets these: “Chefs do that.” "Yes Miss Daisy, I be honkin’. " ---
**Author:** ![BraheSilver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@BraheSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BraheSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498/80 "2003-12-17T23:43:02Z")
Oh yeah, I just remembered. _Snatch_ is a treasure trove of good lines, if you have the right situations. It was a tricky angle! Who took the jam out of your doughnut? Protection from whom? [thick accent]_Ze Germans?!_ Quoth the Virgin Mary, ‘Come again?’ This diamond is a phony. Fake. Not genuine. And it’s worth… (hand gesture) Fuck-all. Look inside the dog. And my favorite - a string of Pikey Irish-tinged gibberish ending with ‘periwinkle blue.’ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-references-that-nobody-ever-gets/219498.md?page=5)