# My parents just walked in with a 4 ft. stuffed catfish from Home Depot **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 22, 2000, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901 "2000-10-22T20:41:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jester/32/8223_2.png) [@Jester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jester)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/1 "2000-10-22T20:41:05Z")
From Home Depot. Yes, after a long trip to the Home Improvement utopia of the suburbs, my parents walked in with a suprise for me. The “suprise” is a pillow shaped exactly like a catfish, which, when stood up on its tail, comes up to my chest. It even has little whiskers. The monstrosity is now sitting on my chair, reading this message over my shoulder. I have determined that my parents are completely, utterly insane. I would post a picture of this miracle of modern engineering, but, alas, I am without a website. So, if you would like me to e-mail you a picture of it, (or at least its head, the whole thing won’t fit into the frame on my digital camera), then just ask, and I’ll oblige. You can then make it your official mascot, conversation piece, or worst nightmare. Also, I’m accepting names for the fish. “Fishy” is a working title, and I need better suggestions. So c’mon, I know you’re all curious about this. Of course, I’m also asking people what my parents’ motivation for buying this thing could be. Kill me now. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/2 "2000-10-22T20:48:00Z")
When did Home Depot start carrying stuff like this?! I’ve seen stuff like this at Lowe’s (competing chain). Yikes; My father is in that store all the time. Thanks - I’ll call mom and warn her! Yeah, send me a picture, please. From your description, ‘Monstrosity’ seems more than appropriate. Hmmm. Catfish. Yup. It’s what’s gonna be for dinner. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/3 "2000-10-22T20:51:48Z")
I’m just shaking my head. That someone would manufacture it in the first place. And that someone would want it. Pay money for it. Is it at least made of all recycled materials? ---
**Author:** ![AndYrAStar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@AndYrAStar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndYrAStar)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/4 "2000-10-22T21:24:25Z")
well, if you REALLY don’t want it, i’d always be happy to take it off your hands… \ ---
**Author:** ![JoeyHemlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ba0ec/32.png) [@JoeyHemlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoeyHemlock)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/5 "2000-10-22T21:29:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AndYrAStar \* > \*\*well, if you REALLY don’t want it, i’d always be happy to take it off your hands… > > \ \*\* In the same way I have a thing for girls with ponytails and overalls? That’s just sick, man. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Pit\_and\_The\_Pendulum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@The\_Pit\_and\_The\_Pendulum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Pit_and_The_Pendulum)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/6 "2000-10-22T21:48:10Z")
Dang! I thought it would be a real stuffed fish. I always wanted one of those, but never caught anything over the length of my… um… shoe. Did they have a stuffed moose head? I could go for one of those, even if it wasn’t real. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/7 "2000-10-22T22:06:02Z")
My friends bought me a 3’ long stuffed trout before. I guess they came across it in a discount bin at Kmart or something and thought “Hey, Jophiel would love this!” I presume they used my real name when they thought it, but anyway. I’ve kept it since but it’s pretty much passed down to my son who giggles like mad when you poke it’s head at his belly and make attacking fish noises. ---
**Author:** ![AndYrAStar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@AndYrAStar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndYrAStar)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/8 "2000-10-22T22:10:17Z")
\<\< **In the same way I have a thing for girls with ponytails and overalls? That’s just sick, man.** \>\> \. ---
**Author:** ![JoeyHemlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ba0ec/32.png) [@JoeyHemlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoeyHemlock)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/9 "2000-10-22T22:24:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jophiel \* > \*\*…my son who giggles like mad when you poke it’s head at his belly and make attacking fish noises. \*\* And what exactly is the sound of an attacking fish? ---
**Author:** ![Fyodor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/958977/32.png) [@Fyodor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fyodor)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/10 "2000-10-22T22:49:31Z")
It’s a part of their parental duties to teach you the facts of life. You’re supposed to sleep with it in bed beside you, thereby preparing you for married life. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/11 "2000-10-22T22:51:11Z")
“Cat Stevens”. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/12 "2000-10-22T23:24:10Z")
How old are you…? if you’re well past the age where parents should be giving you stuffed catfish, run for the hills… Oh and for a name? Um, Fishy Joe? No wait. how about…Randy and Ready? (Randy for short.) Yes, i concur. Sleep with it in bed beside you. And listen while it tells you it has a headache. And then dream about finding a mermaid with which to cheat on the catfish… ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2000, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/13 "2000-10-23T00:38:21Z")
Name the fish? Hmmm…“Huey Long” seems to fit for some reason. Of course, that would make sleeping with it even creepier… ---
**Author:** ![SwimmingRiddles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SwimmingRiddles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwimmingRiddles)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2000, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/14 "2000-10-23T01:39:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Al Zheimers \* > \*\*It’s a part of their parental duties to teach you the facts of life. You’re supposed to sleep with it in bed beside you, thereby preparing you for married life. \*\* Hmm…something cold, unresponsive, with scales and a beard. Yep, that’s pretty much what I’ve been taught to expect from married life. 🙂 How about Giant Freakish Catfish, or GFC for short? Or Bob. Bob seems like an appropriate name for a giant stuffed catfish. ---
**Author:** ![Narile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@Narile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Narile)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2000, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/15 "2000-10-23T01:49:27Z")
Just call it Mrs. McClure. You do remember about everything said about mr. McClure and his unhealthy obssession with the aquarium in the Simpsons, no? ---
**Author:** ![MysterEcks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@MysterEcks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysterEcks)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2000, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/16 "2000-10-23T02:05:09Z")
Just be happy they didn’t give you one of those fake mounted bass that talk and sing. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2000, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/17 "2000-10-23T02:10:10Z")
Oh dear lord, yes! Mrs. McClure, that’s so good. Remember _I’m going to Sea World!_ And…_I said he sleeps with the fishes…_ Yeah the mounted bass, that is very kitsch-y… ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2000, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/18 "2000-10-23T02:19:36Z")
Not sure what to call your new friend, but my advice would be leave home immediately. If this isn’t possible, then place your piscine pal in your parents’ bed every night until they gat the message. Hey! Piscine Pal isn’t too bad a name (for a stuffed fish) ---
**Author:** ![Jester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jester/32/8223_2.png) [@Jester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jester)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2000, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/19 "2000-10-23T16:09:44Z")
Good God. The thing scared the hell out of me this morning. I set it up on a table next to my bed, and woke up to see a giant, dead fish eye staring at me. \ I threw it across the room for that. Oh, and I’m 16, for those who are asking. Yes, I believe that counts as too old for stuffed fish. But hey, they thought it was hilarious, so I’ll let em think it, all the way to the funny farm. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2000, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901/20 "2000-10-23T16:18:12Z")
Name the fish Exhibit A. When your parents ask about the name, tell them he’s gonna be the first thing you show the judge at their sanity hearing. Kingfish would be a good name, if you are into old radio serials. Or my personal favorite … Ralph. That makes me laugh every time. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-parents-just-walked-in-with-a-4-ft-stuffed-catfish-from-home-depot/37901.md?page=2)