# Words or phrases that were that were coined by a TV show or movie **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 20, 2020, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081 "2020-11-20T23:57:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2020, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/81 "2020-11-22T16:18:09Z")
> [@Author\_Balk](#): > > Madison as a first name from Splash You are mythtaken\*. (\*Coined in _Buffy the Vampire Slayer_) > **[Madison (name) | Given name](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_(name)#Given_name)** > > 1.Madison Smartt Bell (born 1957), novelist | > 2.Madison Bumgarner (born 1989), Major League Baseball pitcher | > 3.Madison Cawthorn (born 1995), American politician | > 4.Madison Cooper (1894–1956), American businessman | > 5.Madison Grant (1865–1937), lawyer, eugenicist, and conservationist | > 6.Madison Hedgecock (born 1981), American football player | > 7.Madison Hemings (1805–1877), son of Thomas Jefferson's slave/mistress Sally Hemings | > 8.Madison E. Hollister (1808–1896), justice of the Idaho ... ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/82 "2020-11-22T16:20:30Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > I believe the phrase was already widely used before the SNL skit, although to be honest I don’t remember exactly when the SNL skit first aired. > > Back in the early 90’s there was a Fox sitcom called “Get A Life” starring Chris Elliott as a 30 year old paperboy still living with his parents. It was first aired December 20, 1986–thus before the Fox sitcom. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2020, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/83 "2020-11-22T16:39:00Z")
OK since others have mentioned _phrases_ from Star Trek I think will mention _words_ I believe were created for the show: Tricorder Star Date Redshirt Phaser Holodeck Warp Drive Dilithium Hypospray Not mention the entire _Klingon_ language, ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2020, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/84 "2020-11-22T16:45:06Z")
> [@dorvann](#): > > Redshirt Did anybody actually _say_ the word “Redshirt” in a Star Trek episode or movie? I think this is a fan invention to describe the inevitability doomed anonymous member of the landing party, not a term coined by the franchise itself. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2020, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/85 "2020-11-22T16:46:46Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > > [@Author\_Balk](#): > > > > Madison as a first name from Splash > > You are mythtaken\*. (\*Coined in _Buffy the Vampire Slayer_ ) Splash maybe invented, and certainly at least popularized, “Madison” as a girl’s name. Were any females given the name “Madison” before 1984 (when the movie came out)? Most of the females listed in that Wikipedia link were born after Splash, and I think the few that weren’t were not named Madison at birth. Nowadays it’s become quite common for girls to be given “last names” as first names (look at all the Taylors, Kennedys, etc.), so Madison might well have become a girl’s name by now even without the movie—unless the movie is responsible for that general trend, and not just the specific name Madison? ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/86 "2020-11-22T16:49:12Z")
Now that you mention it you maybe right!!! Some more words from Trek: Hologenerator Replimat Latinum ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2020, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/87 "2020-11-22T16:51:30Z")
> [@dorvann](#): > > OK since others have mentioned _phrases_ from Star Trek I think will mention _words_ I believe were created for the show: > > Tricorder > Star Date > Redshirt > Phaser > Holodeck > Warp Drive > Dilithium > Hypospray There are quite a few terms that Star Trek at least popularized (maybe you could include “transporter” and “beam” (as in “Beam us up, Scotty”)), but how many of these were invented by/for the show and how many were borrowed from existing, less well-known science fiction? ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2020, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/88 "2020-11-22T16:59:31Z")
“The friend zone” (the idea that friendship is incompatible with romance) was invented, as far as I know, in the Friends episode “The One with the Blackout.” “Going commando” (wearing no underwear) was popularized but not invented by Friends “Five-O” (slang for the police) is from the 1960s and '70s series Hawaii Five-O. The police organization depicted in the series is entirely fictional. “Book 'em, Dano” from the same series is more of a catchphrase and probably not what the OP had in mind. “G-man” (federal government agent) was not invented but was popularized by the 1935 Cagney film G-men. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2020, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/89 "2020-11-22T18:02:05Z")
> [@dorvann](#): > > [Made-up words | Simpsons Wiki | Fandom](https://simpsons.fandom.com/wiki/Made-up_words) Gosh, there are so many good ones from the Simpsons. Saxamphone, stabby, and Lousy Smarch weather and those are just from the S section. Apparently, the Simpsons coined the term Yoink. It takes a conscious effort to not greet the guy next door “Hi diddly ho, neighborino!” Nelson’s ‘Haw-haw’ frequently rattles around in my head. I often praise Jebus. > [@Didi44](#): > > Looked up shiksappeal from _Seinfeld_ and came across this [page](https://nypost.com/2014/07/01/the-25-best-seinfeld-isms/) which has so good ones that fit this thread. I’m sorry, the card says Moops. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2020, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/90 "2020-11-22T19:54:41Z")
Naw, that was earlier. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2020, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/91 "2020-11-22T19:55:57Z")
Ancient Brit punchline. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2020, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/92 "2020-11-22T20:00:42Z")
No, Wendy was a name used before that, but not commonly and often for boys. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2020, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/93 "2020-11-22T20:06:18Z")
Wasn’t “yoink” used on Scooby Doo? ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2020, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/94 "2020-11-22T20:09:09Z")
I think it was “Zoinks!” ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/95 "2020-11-23T00:47:46Z")
In the same vein of “Words that were around but were unknown until being used in a movie” MILF (Mother I’d Like to Fuck) - American Pie (1999) Curb-Stomp - American History X (1998) ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/96 "2020-11-23T01:17:44Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > “This tape will self-destruct in five seconds.” _ **Mission: Impossible** _ It’s worth clarifying that it wasn’t just that memorable sentence that came from the show. The _word_ “self-destruct” was coined by the Mission Impossible screenwriters. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/97 "2020-11-23T01:35:03Z")
Round up the usual suspects. Here’s looking at you, kid. This could be the start of a beautiful friendship. (Yes, I just finished watching Casablanca for the umpteenth time.) ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/98 "2020-11-23T01:40:29Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Moved to Cafe society as TV & Movies related. Huh. I thought that was where I had put it in the first place, but apparently I was mistaken. > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > A good 90% of the responses in this thread are reports of catch phrases that shows have made popular. That is very different from what the OP is asking. You are correct. I actually very nearly included a sentence in the OP specifically stating that I didn’t mean simply catch phrases that were made popular by a show, but I wasn’t quite sure how to word it so I just gave up and hit the post button. > [@Didi44](#): > > To be fair, the OP him/herself confuses the issue by asking for “Words or phrases…”, then only gives and asks for words in the description. To clarify, I said “or phrases” because I didn’t want to limit the discussion to only single words. But that doesn’t mean every single popular catch phrase qualifies. I was thinking more of new expressions invented to describe a concept that we previously didn’t have a succinct name for. I didn’t give any multi word examples in the OP simply because I couldn’t think of any at the time, but I think “the friend zone” is a good example of the sort of phrase I meant. I’m sure people understood the concept before _Friends_, but there wasn’t really a name for it until they used that phrase, and now it’s become a commonly used phrase that many people might not even realize originated from _Friends_. > [@markn\_1](#): > > It’s worth clarifying that it wasn’t just that memorable sentence that came from the show. The _word_ “self-destruct” was coined by the Mission Impossible screenwriters. And that is a) something I didn’t know before, and b) another great example of the sort of phrase I _was_ looking for. (Although that one is more of a compound word than a phrase). ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/99 "2020-11-23T02:49:18Z")
“Wishing someone to the cornfield” from the 1961 _Twilight Zone_ episode _It’s A Good Life_, based on the 1953 short story by Jerome Bixby. In the story, 6 year old Anthony Fremont would actually wish people away to the cornfield for not having good thoughts. It’s come into the popular culture to mean anything which has apparently disappeared from existence. ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081/100 "2020-11-23T04:22:25Z")
"I didn’t give any multi word examples in the OP simply because I couldn’t think of any at the time, but I think “the friend zone” is a good example of the sort of phrase I meant. I’m sure people understood the concept before _Friends_ , but there wasn’t really a name for it until they used that phrase, and now it’s become a commonly used phrase that many people might not even realize originated from _Friends_ " Fair enough. But given the the billions of people that have lived and died in the last century, it’s extremely unlikely that any phrase didn’t exist in the same form before it was popularized by a TV show or movie. Looking up the definition and use of the word “coined”, it indeed started out as meaning a new word or phrase, but has changed to generally mean a word or phrased popularized by something. I thank you for clarifying the intent of this thread, but the genie of _coined_ to mean popularized has been let out of the bottle and personally I find the responses that vein very interesting and entertaining. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-or-phrases-that-were-that-were-coined-by-a-tv-show-or-movie/926081.md?page=6)