# What is the most commonly used phrase in English that came from a movie? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [December 2, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068 "2024-12-02T16:37:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2025, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/321 "2025-03-19T22:18:50Z")
> [@Galactus](#): > > I know it, but I always mess up the last word. I don’t think it will be a problem. I see what you did there. ---
**Author:** ![EnolaStraight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2025, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/322 "2025-03-20T00:33:00Z")
IIRC no cop ever cried out to a perp “FREEZE” before “The French Connection” came out. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2025, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/323 "2025-03-20T05:11:06Z")
The use of “X is toast” apparently originated in the original _Ghostbusters_. > **[Bill Murray's Ghostbusters Line 'This Chick Is Toast' Is Responsible For...](https://www.slashfilm.com/1324854/bill-murray-ghostbusters-line-this-chick-toast-responsible-creating-english-slang/)** > > Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, at the very least, also deserve partial credit. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2025, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/324 "2025-03-21T15:35:58Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Does anyone other than me ever use the phrase “Klaatu barada nikto”? > > Does anyone other than me know what it means? 🤨 I am more likely to use “KLAATU. BARADA. N\*\*cough\*\*. There, I said it.” ETA: > [@Galactus](#): > > I know it, but I always mess up the last word. I don’t think it will be a problem. Dammit, should have read to the end… ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2025, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/325 "2025-03-24T03:16:54Z")
While I agree that “that’s what she said” is now inextricably linked to _The Office_, it also was at least semi-regularly used by the SNL-skit-and-movie _Wayne’s World_. Garth: “Hey, are you through yet, 'cause I’m getting tired of holding this” Wayne: “Shyeah, that’s what she said” The intonation is definitely distinct from Michael Scott, however. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2025, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/326 "2025-03-24T03:27:07Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > How you like them apples? That goes back to at least World War I: > **[Origin of "How do you like them apples" in 'Good Will Hunting'](https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/how-do-you-like-them-apples-good-will-hunting/)** > > Matt Damon's put-down "How do you like them apples?" from 'Good Will Hunting' has become a staple of pop culture. But how did the phrase originate? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068.md?page=16)