It has been said that television has had a greater influence on American culture than parents, schools, churches, and government. Television debuted in the United States in 1928 with the launch of WGY Television, a joint venture of WGY in Schenectady, New York and WMAK in Lockport, New York. Development was halted during World War II but quickly picked up when peace was restored. Soon more than half of American households had a set and the 1950s became known as the Golden Age of Television. Today, these are the states where people watch the most TV.
Even if television’s primacy has been challenged in the last two decades by the internet and social media, it has certainly made its mark on our language. 24/7 Tempo has compiled a list of classic TV quotes that are now part of everyday vocabulary.
Some of them are so ingrained that you may be quoting a TV show without realizing it. The truth is out there, whether you’re aware of it or not. By the way, that’s a quote from the “X-Files.” And if you didn’t recognize it, you might say, “D’oh!” That’s from “The Simpsons.” (Click here for the most binge-worthy series you can stream now.)
Our list includes such classic lines as “That’s what she said,” from “The Office” and “I am the danger,” from “Breaking Bad.” If you’re impressed by something or someone, you might say, “Smarter than your average bear.” If you’re not so impressed, you might say, “Yada, yada, yada.” And if you’ve heard enough already, you can say, “Just the facts, ma’am.”
Click here for 50 classic TV quotes that are now part of everyday vocabulary
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
How do you do, fellow kids?
> Show: 30 Rock
Source: Courtesy of FX Network
Phrasing!
> Show: Archer
Source: Courtesy of Fox Network
I’ve made a huge mistake
> Show: Arrested Development
Source: Courtesy of CNBC-e
I am the danger.
> Show: Breaking Bad
Source: Courtesy of KVH Media Group
I’d like your $8-est bottle of wine, please
> Show: Brooklyn 99
Source: Courtesy of CanWest Global Communications
Norm!
> Show: Cheers
Source: Courtesy of KVH Media Group
Cool cool cool
> Show: Community
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
What’chu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?
> Show: Different Strokes
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
Just the facts, ma’am
> Show: Dragnet
Source: Courtesy of CanWest Global Communications
I tried nice once. Didn’t care for it
> Show: Everybody Loves Raymond
Source: Courtesy of CBS Television Distribution
I’m listening
> Show: Frasier
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution
How come he don’t want me man?
> Show: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.
> Show: Friday Night Lights
Source: Courtesy of AB Distribution
How you doin’?
> Show: Friends
Source: Courtesy of 20th Television
Shut up and take my money
> Show: Futurama
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Winter is Coming
> Show: Game of Thrones
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Television
So pick me, choose me, love me.
> Show: Grey’s Anatomy
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Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Television
True story
> Show: How I Met Your Mother
Source: Courtesy of CBS
Lucy I’m Home!
> Show: I Love Lucy
Source: Courtesy of Columbia TriStar Domestic Television
What is…
> Show: Jeopardy!
Source: Courtesy of HBO Max
What’s up doc?
> Show: Looney Tunes
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Television
We have to go back
> Show: Lost
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Source: Courtesy of Midget Entertainment
What do you want me to say?
> Show: Mad Men
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
Treat yoself
> Show: Parks & Rec
Source: Courtesy of Endemol Worldwide Distribution
By order of the Peaky Blinders
> Show: Peaky Blinders
Source: Courtesy of Bravo Cable
Make it work
> Show: Project Runway
Source: Courtesy of Amazon Studios
Sashay away
> Show: RuPaul’s Drag Race
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Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
More cowbell
> Show: Saturday Night Live
Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company
It’s handled.
> Show: Scandal
Source: Courtesy of ITV Studios Global Entertainment
Eww!
> Show: Schitt’s Creek
Source: Courtesy of CBS
Zoinks
> Show: Scooby Doo
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
Yada yada yada
> Show: Seinfeld
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Source: Courtesy of HBO
I couldn’t help but wonder…
> Show: Sex and the City
Source: Courtesy of CanWest Global Communications
I thought this was America
> Show: South Park
Source: Courtesy of Nickelodeon
I’m ready!
> Show: SpongeBob SquarePants
Source: Courtesy of CBS Video
The tribe has spoken
> Show: Survivor
Source: Courtesy of NBC
I believe in Believe
> Show: Ted Lasso
> Show: Ted Lasso
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Source: Courtesy of KVH Media Group
Bazinga
> Show: The Big Bang Theory
Source: Courtesy of CBS Paramount Domestic Television
Marcia, Marcia, Marcia
> Show: The Brady Bunch
Source: Courtesy of Columbia TriStar Domestic Television
Hey now!
> Show: The Larry Sanders Show
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
That’s what she said
> Show: The Office
Source: Courtesy of The Fremantle Corporation
Come on Down!
> Show: The Price is Right
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Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Television
D’oh
> Show: The Simpsons
Source: Courtesy of HBO
Madone
> Show: The Sopranos
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
Heeeeere’s Johnny!
> Show: The Tonight Show
Source: Courtesy of Home Box Office
You come at the king, you best not miss
> Show: The Wire
Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
The truth is out there
> Show: The X-Files
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Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company
Is that your final answer?
> Show: Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
Just Jack
> Show: Will & Grace
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Smarter than your average bear.
> Show: Yogi Bear
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