Used in many episodes. One I recall right now, when Bart decides to be better in class b/c Lisa’s better at hockey:
“Hey Bart - if Lisa’s better than you at hockey does that mean you’re going to do better than her at school?”
“Maybe I will, Milhouse. Maaaaaaaybe I will.”
[cut to Bart raising his hand to answer every question, followed by Crabapple saying “Bart! Put your hand down - you haven’t gotten one right all day!”]
I’ve heard Homer say this to Marge, just the same way, and a few other times in other episodes.
So where did this originate? A well-known movie or TV show?
The scenario is so generic and cliché that I doubt anyone will point to a specific example. It’s almost like asking where the line “Let’s get out of here!” orginated.
Every other “After School Special” used “Maybe I will,” as a comeback to a mocking question, no?
It’s a very screenwriter thing for a character to say, “[statement], [listener’s name], [repeat statement].” As in, “Lord only knows, Sherman. Lord only knows.”