It’s wild how some phrases we toss around daily have their roots in classic movies and TV shows. These catchphrases, which range from sci-fi classics to 90s teen comedies, have made their way into our everyday language, often without us realizing their origins.
Here’s a fun look at some of the most memorable phrases that movies and TV helped popularize.
The Dark Side – Star Wars
When someone talks about “the dark side,” your brain probably jumps straight to Star Wars. It was coined in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) and is used for anything corrupt, shady, or downright evil.
Paparazzi – La Dolce Vita
Before the world was obsessed with “paparazzi,” we didn’t have a snappy term for those relentless photographers who follow celebrities. Then comes La Dolce Vita, where a photographer character named Paparazzo gave birth to the famous word “paparazzi.”
You’re Toast – Ghostbusters
“You’re toast!” became a classic thanks to Bill Murray in Ghostbusters (1984). Said with that classic Murray mischievous grin, the phrase is used when someone’s in serious trouble, whether they’ve made a mistake or just hit a dead end.
Googled – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The phrase “googled” may have been around in tech circles since the late 90s, but it truly became part of mainstream language thanks to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In an episode aired in 2002, the characters use the term to describe looking something up online.
D’oh – The Simpsons
Homer Simpson’s “D’oh!” isn’t just for animated characters. It’s for anyone who’s ever messed up and needed to groan in frustration. Just slap your forehead and let out a big “D’oh!”
Meh – The Simpsons
When you’re underwhelmed by something but too lazy to care, you say “Meh.” First popularized on The Simpsons (1994), this perfectly sums up that “I don’t care, I’m indifferent” feeling. It might have Yiddish roots, but The Simpsons really made it stick in everyday conversations.
Regifting – Seinfeld
We’ve all been there—getting a gift that we don’t quite love, but we don’t want to waste it, so we give it to someone else. Seinfeld (1995) immortalized the practice with the term “regifting” in an episode in which the characters hilariously navigate the social faux pas of giving away unwanted presents.
Jump the Shark – Happy Days
The phrase “jump the shark” originally referred to a bizarre moment in the Happy Days TV show where Fonzie literally jumps over a shark on water skis. It was seen as a desperate stunt. When a show or movie starts losing steam, we say it’s “jumped the shark.”
Frak – Battlestar Galactica
Sometimes, you need a good swear word, just without the swearing. Battlestar Galactica (1978) gave us “frak,” a sci-fi stand-in for the f-word. Fans use it to express everything from frustration to just having a very bad day.
Friend Zone – Friends
Thanks to Friends (1994), the term “friend zone” has become an essential part of the modern dating lexicon. The show popularized the idea that someone can have romantic feelings for another person but end up stuck in the “friend zone” with no chance of romantic reciprocity. Sorry, Ross!
Nimrod – Looney Tunes
Once, “Nimrod” referred to a mighty hunter from the Bible. Then came Looney Tunes, and Bugs Bunny started calling Elmer Fudd a “Nimrod.” People use it today as a (not-so-playful) way to call someone a fool or a doofus.
Derp – BASEketball
In the absurd comedy BASEketball (1998), Trey Parker and Matt Stone gave us “derp,” a term they had used in earlier works. It’s the perfect word to describe any awkward, clumsy, or silly moment, especially when you’ve done something ridiculous. Thanks for that, guys.
Red Pill – The Matrix
The phrase “red pill,” from The Matrix (1999), has become synonymous with awakening to an uncomfortable truth. In the film, taking the red pill symbolizes the choice to learn the harsh reality about the world.
Bunny Boiler – Fatal Attraction
Ever had someone get a little too obsessed? The term “bunny boiler” comes from Fatal Attraction (1987), where a woman boils a pet rabbit in a dramatic, spine-chilling moment. The term is shorthand for anyone who goes a little too psycho after a breakup. Yikes.
Five-O – Hawaii Five-O
The word “Five-O” (meaning the police or a police officer) originated from the 1968 television show Hawaii Five-O. The show named the police force after Hawaii’s state number.
Bling – Cash Money Millionaires
“Bling” was floating around in the hip-hop world, but it truly hit the mainstream in 1999 thanks to Cash Money Millionaires’ song “Bling Bling.” The term for flashy jewelry went from rap culture to everyday language.