# Phrases used in popular culture that you don't know the definition of(explanations) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 27, 2003, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877 "2003-06-27T23:09:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Southpaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@Southpaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southpaw)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/81 "2003-07-08T14:45:14Z")
I’ve only seen it on the SDMB, but what does “When come back bring pie” refer to? And who is Comic Book Guy? Although antiquated, does anyone have any idea what “23-Skidoo” means? ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/82 "2003-07-08T15:22:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Southpaw \* > \*\* > And who is Comic Book Guy? > \*\* A character on _The Simpsons_. Fat, geeky guy who runs a comic book store and only cares about geeky things. His catchphrase is “BEST/WORST…\…EVER!”, as in “WORST…_STAR WARS_ RIP-OFF…EVER!” > [@](#): > > \*\* > Although antiquated, does anyone have any idea what “23-Skidoo” means? \*\* The “23” is New York’s Twenty-Third Street. As I understand it, fellas used to hang around there to leer at the ladies, and the cops would have to shoo them away. Hence the expression. According to legend at least Twenty-Third Street is especially windy (I’ve never been to NYC, so I don’t know if it really is or not), so men went there in hopes that they’d get to see a little extra leg when the wind blew women’s skirts around. ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/83 "2003-07-08T16:24:42Z")
“When come back bring pie” refers to a quote on a rather inane little website. It was popularized on the boards when Cecil referred to it in one of his columns (I can’t seem to find the one now). I have never heard referrence to it anywhere else. ---
**Author:** ![booklover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@booklover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/booklover)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/84 "2003-07-08T16:33:05Z")
This is something I’ve seen on T-shirts, as well as on _Survivor_: Boo-Yah! What does this mean and what is it a reference to? ---
**Author:** ![23skidoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/f04885/32.png) [@23skidoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/23skidoo)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/85 "2003-07-08T16:41:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Southpaw \* > \*\*Although antiquated, does anyone have any idea what “23-Skidoo” means? \*\* [http://www.word-detective.com/back-v.html#23](http://www.word-detective.com/back-v.html#23) has lots of info on it. ---
**Author:** ![BlueMit11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@BlueMit11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueMit11)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/86 "2003-07-08T16:46:55Z")
Boo-Yah is sort of a victory cheer. Kind of like “hooray” only more in-your-face. ---
**Author:** ![5-HT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/f19dbf/32.png) [@5-HT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5-HT)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/87 "2003-07-08T17:00:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BlueMit11 \* > \*\*Boo-Yah is sort of a victory cheer. Kind of like “hooray” only more in-your-face. \*\* Does Boo-yah come from the phrase “BooyaKasha(sp?)” that Ali G is so fond of using? ---
**Author:** ![Southpaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@Southpaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southpaw)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/88 "2003-07-08T17:03:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lamia \* > **A character on _The Simpsons_. Fat, geeky guy who runs a comic book store and only cares about geeky things. His catchphrase is “BEST/WORST…\…EVER!”, as in "WORST…_STAR WARS_ RIP-OFF…EVER!"** Thanks **Lamia** , I kinda thought he was a character from show I never saw. And thanks for the link **23skidoo**. Honestly, I didn’t even see your earlier posts before I posted my question 😃 ---
**Author:** ![stolichnaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/89 "2003-07-08T17:10:18Z")
I always assumed that “Boo-Yah” was popularized by **Boo Yaa T.R.I.B.E.** whose members are from Samoa. I don’t speak Samoan, however. **BlueMit11** has the meaning, fo shizzle. ---
**Author:** ![BuckleberryFerry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5f9b8f/32.png) [@BuckleberryFerry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BuckleberryFerry)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/90 "2003-07-08T17:18:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cougarfang \* > **O\_o is supposed to be an upright emoticon denoting a surprised/shocked sort of anime-style face.** I’ve always used o.O or O\_o as one eyebrow raised, as in confusion, interest, or sarcasm… ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/91 "2003-07-08T18:54:34Z")
Another example of cockblocking (and the kind I’m most familiar with)- when a guy has been courting a special lady all night, bought her a few drinks, is about to take her home when BAM! Cockblock! Out of nowhere, two of her friends take her by the arms and bring her to their waiting taxi cab, explaining that she has to get up early while giving the guy dirty looks and laughing as they drive away. And that’s all she wrote, folks! Booyaa is best illustrated by the overachieving guy at the real estate agency Marge Simpson goes to work at. The arm motion and everything. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/92 "2003-07-08T20:08:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by booklover \* > \*\*This is something I’ve seen on T-shirts, as well as on _Survivor_: Boo-Yah! What does this mean and what is it a reference to? \*\* Q: Any _ESPN Sportscenter_ aficionados aboard? A: \ … Ahem … OK then: ESPN anchor Stuart Scott popularized “Booh Yah!” in the late Nineties. Most ESPN anchors have a catchphrase or two, and Scott’s has entered mainstream parlance. He may not have invented it, but Stuart Scott certainly made it widespread. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/93 "2003-07-08T20:11:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lamia \* > \*\*A character on _The Simpsons_. Fat, geeky guy who runs a comic book store and only cares about geeky things. His catchphrase is “BEST/WORST…\…EVER!”, as in “WORST…_STAR WARS_ RIP-OFF…EVER!” \*\* Aaaahhh … I always wondered where the “BEST … CLICHE … EVER!” came from. I never realized just how culturally relevant _The Simpsons_ really is. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/94 "2003-07-08T20:13:21Z")
Minor nitpick regarding “jump the shark”: Fonzie jumped over the shark on water skis, not his motorcycle. And, of course, he was wearing his trademark leather jacket while skiing. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/95 "2003-07-08T20:21:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lamia \* > \*\*The word may have been reclaimed by some hardcore fan groups within the Japanese population, but if so this usage has yet to become mainstream. \*\* I suspect that American usage of “otaku” can be traced to the video release of “Otaku No Video”, a 1991 anime that pokes fun at Japanese fanboy culture. The tone of the movie is very much “we’re otaku and we’re proud of it”. (One of the main characters is on a quest to become the “otaku of otakus”, essentially the King of All Fandom.) Watching “Otaku No Video” in the early 90’s was certainly the first time I had heard the term. The movie’s positive take on “otaku” could explain why Americans think of it as just another world for “geek” while Japanese speakers hear it as something more creepy. [http://us.imdb.com/Title?0089749#comment](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0089749#comment) ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/96 "2003-07-08T20:22:02Z")
How about “It’s all good”? I mean, nobody really **thinks** that, do they? ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/97 "2003-07-08T22:03:50Z")
Nobody thinks that, **Dung Beetle** but it’s used in limited circumstances in which it is, indeed, all good. “I invited Eric and Joe to come to the club with us tonight. I hope that’s all right with you.” “Yeah, it’s all good.” “Do you need help with the dinner? You got a lot of work going on in here.” “Nah, it’s all good. All I have to do is steam the asparagus and serve everything up.” ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/98 "2003-07-08T22:11:26Z")
Oh, gotta add – in answer to the question, no, it’s not really appropriate for anyone who couldn’t say “nigger” safely to use the word “nizzle” either. (Argue amongst yourselves as to whether or not it’s appropriate for anyone to call anyone either of those words.) ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/99 "2003-07-08T23:04:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by 23skidoo \* > \*\*That song called “Hey Ma” by Cam’ron… the one that samples “Easy Like Sunday Morning”… it has a lyric that says: > > Yo L, what up, I hit, what else, plus dome > > I understand everything except “plus dome”. Don’t speculate, but if you really know please clue me in. \*\* “Getting dome” = receiving oral sex. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/100 "2003-07-08T23:38:00Z")
I was under the impression that **Boo** , at least in hip-hop/rap songs, was a shortened version of another not-so-nice slur against black people: Jiggaboo. Or have songs like “jigga my nigga” given me the wrong impression? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877.md?page=6)