# Were these phrases coined by screenwriters? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 21, 2001, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-phrases-coined-by-screenwriters/88699 "2001-10-21T08:10:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2001, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-phrases-coined-by-screenwriters/88699/1 "2001-10-21T08:10:39Z")
Okay, I know the writers of **Seinfeld** didn’t invent “yadda yadda yadda”, but merely popularized it. However, I’m not sure I remember hearing “Yesssss!” before **Home Alone**. Also, I am almost sure that “Be afraid…Be very afraid,” was original with the Jeff Goldblum/Geena Davis version of **The Fly**. Granted, I was only 16 when it was released, but I remember it sounding very contrary to the normal horror movie exchange, where A says “Don’t be afraid,” B tremulously says “Okay,” and **then** the monster pounces or whatever. Am I right or wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2001, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-phrases-coined-by-screenwriters/88699/2 "2001-10-21T09:15:27Z")
I think you’re right on “be very afraid”, but wrong on “yesss”, which has always been Marv Albert’s gimmick. That and dressing up in women’s underwear. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2001, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-phrases-coined-by-screenwriters/88699/3 "2001-10-21T09:16:53Z")
I thought ‘Yadda yadda yadda’ was popularised by Woody Allen’s film “Annie Hall” when it first came out. Maybe I’m just showing my age. Incidentally, is there any agreed correct spelling of ‘yadda’? I seem to see quite a few variations. If there **is** a right way I’d like to know what it is, and if there is not I’d like to know how come there isn’t! ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Rhosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sir\_Rhosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Rhosis)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2001, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-phrases-coined-by-screenwriters/88699/4 "2001-10-21T18:06:44Z")
Rilch, I’ve never seen a single ep of “Seifeld,” so I’m not sure how you’re pronouncing “Yeeeesssss.” However, on an old radio show (Jack Benny, I think), there was a character, who usually showed up as a shopkeeper. A typical exchange would go something like: Benny: Excuse me, sir. . . Shopkeeper: YEEEESSSSSSSS? Benny: Do you work here? Shopkeeper: (sarcastic): Noooooo, I just thought it would be amusing to come in and confuse you! This actor later did this shtick on TV, I remember him doing the same routine with Fred on “Sanford and Son,” etc. I think the actor’s name was Frank ???. Is this the “Yeeeesssssss” you’re talking about? Sir Rhosis ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2001, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-phrases-coined-by-screenwriters/88699/5 "2001-10-21T18:09:55Z")
> [@](#): > > I thought ‘Yadda yadda yadda’ was popularised by Woody Allen’s film “Annie Hall” when it first came out. Maybe I’m just showing my age. No, just your failing hearing. The phrase in “Annie Hall” was “La di dah, la di dah.” ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2001, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-phrases-coined-by-screenwriters/88699/6 "2001-10-21T20:07:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sir Rhosis \* > \*\*Rilch, > > I’ve never seen a single ep of “Seifeld,” so I’m not sure how you’re pronouncing “Yeeeesssss.” > > However, on an old radio show (Jack Benny, I think), there was a character, who usually showed up as a shopkeeper. A typical exchange would go something like: > > Benny: Excuse me, sir. . . > > Shopkeeper: YEEEESSSSSSSS? > > Benny: Do you work here? > > Shopkeeper: (sarcastic): Noooooo, I just thought it would be amusing to come in and confuse you! > > This actor later did this shtick on TV, I remember him doing the same routine with Fred on “Sanford and Son,” etc. > > I think the actor’s name was Frank ???. > > Is this the “Yeeeesssssss” you’re talking about? > > Sir Rhosis \*\* No; those are different pronunciations and connotations. What you’re referring to puts the pressure on the glottal ‘y’ sound, as if the word is being dragged up from the diaphraghm. This was also parodied on the Simpsons, where the mystery was solved. Homer: Why do you talk that way? Maitre’d: I had a STROOOOOOOOKE! Anyway, the Maccaulay Culkin/Marv Albert “Yesssssssss” has the emphasis on the sibilant ‘s’, indicating deep satisfaction. “Kevin” said it every time one of his booby-traps worked and the housebreakers were wounded or humiliated. Marv Albert (apparently) said it to honor a slam-dunk, home run, or touchdown. But I’m right on “Be very afraid”? YESSSSSSSSSS! ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2001, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-phrases-coined-by-screenwriters/88699/7 "2001-10-21T20:09:02Z")
Ha! Mr. Rilch is watching football downstairs, and I just heard him say “Yesssssss!” ---
**Author:** ![DPWhite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d26b3c/32.png) [@DPWhite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPWhite)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2001, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-phrases-coined-by-screenwriters/88699/8 "2001-10-21T20:12:32Z")
The Great Gildersleeve was the fellow on the Jack Benny show. And his yesssss was different than MaCauley Culkin’s. GG was very sarcastic, while our little imp was exuberant. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2001, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-phrases-coined-by-screenwriters/88699/9 "2001-10-21T21:36:11Z")
I think you mean Frank Nelson. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2001, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-phrases-coined-by-screenwriters/88699/10 "2001-10-21T21:40:13Z")
Here’s a previous thread about the guy who said, “Yes.” [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=30179](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=30179) Note that you could be thinking of either Frank Nelson or Harold Peary (or even confusing them with Gale Gordon).