Sein-Language Dominated my Domain
I find myself incorporating catch phrases and quotes from TV and movies into
my own life. My interaction with and response to the media go far beyond the
initial viewing, and sometimes new meanings are created from the original intent
of the phrase(s). Influences from
TV: Sein-Language dominated my domain, “the tribe has spoken” and “you’re fired”
seemed to sum it all up, and “no deal” is the new form of rejection.
As far as movies go, I prefer the indy variety, but will take in the
occasional box office hit. Who hasn’t said: “You can’t handle the truth”
from Jack in A Few Good Men or “And that’s all I have to say about
that” from Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump. |
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Aliens, Scar Face, Pulp Fiction, Ace Venture Pet Detective,
Princess Bride, Dawn of the Dead, Reservoir Dogs, Full Metal Jacket, Shawshank
Redemption, I Married an Axe Murderer, Punch Drunk Love, and Stranger than
Fiction have all provided classic material to work from over the years. My
recent favorite catch phrase is from Pirates of the Caribbean I & II: “Somebody
hide the rum!”
A great resource for the origins and meanings of phrases is
The Phrase Finder.
Click here for an extensive list of movie, TV and advertising catch phrases
that have integrated themselves--for good and for bad--into everyday language.
And, here is the Top 10 Movie Catch Phrases of all time according
to Slashfilm.com (http://www.slashfilm.com/article.php/2006040420343085).
Can anyone say they haven’t used at least a few of these at one time or another…
1."I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto." - misquote from The
Wizard of Oz; the actual dialogue is "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas
anymore." Generally invoked when someone is feeling out of his or her element.
This film also gave us "I'll get you, my pretty! And your little dog too!"
2. “I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse.” – Don Corleone in The
Godfather. Used to assure someone that you can get what you want out of a third
party.
3. "May the Force be with you!" - attributed to Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star
Wars although Han Solo and General Dodonna were the only characters in the film
to say the line. The closest Guinness came to saying it was, "The Force will be
with you, always." Used in place of "good luck".
4. "We Don't need no stinkin' badges!" The original quote is "Badges? We
ain't got no badges. We don't need no badges. I don't have to show you any
stinking badges," in Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Say this when you feel that
you don’t need to justify your authority.
5. "If you build it, they will come" - from the mysterious voice to Kevin
Costner in Field of Dreams. The actual phrase in the movie was "If you build it,
he (meaning Shoeless Joe Jackson) will come.” Used in the real world to describe
any ambitious plan that requires a large initial investment.
6. "Follow the money." – Deep Throat in All The President's Men. Used
when investigating high-profile scandals.
7. “Here’s looking at you, kid”- Rick in Casablanca. A toast when you
can’t think of any other. This movie also gave us the famous misquote of “Play
it again, Sam.”
8. "Houston, we have a problem." – Jim Lovell in Apollo 13. This is a
paraphrasing of the original quote from Jack Swigert which was "Okay, Houston,
we've had a problem here." Heard when a project is not going according to plan
9. "I’ll be back." – The Terminator in T2. Used when you are leaving and
plan to return.
10. "Show me the money!" - From Jerry Maguire. Say this when you want
someone to back up his or her talk with real results. Actually, don't say this;
it's obnoxious.
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