Definition and Examples of Catchphrases

Definition and Examples of Catchphrases Definition A catchphrase is a vogue expression, often media-inspired and usually short-lived. Also called catchwords. In a recent study (What Makes a Catchphrase Catchy?), Eline Zenner et al. describe catchphrases as expressions used in (visual) media, politics, literature etc. that catch on . . .: they are used freely in discourse, in contexts detached from the original source (New Perspectives on Lexical Borrowing, 2014). See Examples and Observations  below. Also see: Chunk51 Reasons Youll Never Be Told Youre FiredLogology Adage,  Maxim, Platitude,  and Proverb MottoPet PhraseSloganSnowcloneWhat Are Clichà ©s? Examples and Observations Wise Latina(catchphrase introduced by Sonia Sotomayor, first Hispanic Supreme Court justice)I know nothing.(Manuels catchphrase in the BBC television comedy  Fawlty Towers)Are you avin a laugh?(Andy Millmans catchphrase in  the BBC television comedy  Extras) Make America Great Again- In the end, Mr. Trump’s simple promise to Make America Great Again, a catchphrase Mrs. Clinton dismissed as a vow to return to a racist past already long disappeared, would draw enough white Americans to the polls to make up for his low minority support.(Amy Chozick, Hillary Clintons Expectations, and Her Ultimate Campaign Missteps. The New York Times, November 9, 2016)- You know how your favorite band suddenly seems less cool once your mom knows about them? Or an internet catchphrase loses its cachet once your history teacher uses it to explain the Reconstruction era? Presidential campaigns are like that.(Ryan Teague Beckwith, How a Beatles T-Shirt From Japan Became the Latest Donald Trump Merchandise. Time, August 26, 2016) Nuts to you, McGullicuty!The ultra-high-powered-to-the-point-of-insanity network executive, played by show-stealing Alec Baldwin, has a simple scriptwriting method: start with the catchphrases (Nuts to you, McGullicuty!, Who ordered the wieners?) and work backwards.(Pete Cashmore, 30 Reasons Why 30 Rock Rocks! The Guardian, February  14, 2009) Let Me Be ClearLet me be clear.In the first six months of Obama’s presidency, this simple sentence has gone from political pet phrase to full-on rhetorical signature, appearing (along with its variants let’s be clear and I want to be clear) scores of times in the commander in chief’s pre-written and extemporaneous remarks.(Andie Coller, Obamas Favorite Phrase. Politico.com, August  1, 2009) Oh, My![Dick] Enberg is especially remembered for developing and repeating memorable catchphrases in his broadcasts. After each Angels win, Enberg would close the TV broadcast by saying, And the Halo shines tonight! After any outsta nding play, youre likely to hear Enberg shout his catchphrase, Oh, my!(Ric W. Jensen, Dick Enberg. American Sports: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas, ed. by Murry R. Nelson. Greenwood, 2013) A catch phrase is a phrase that has caught on, and pleases the populace. Ill go along with that, provided these substitutions be accepted: saying for phrase; and public for the tendentious populace.(Eric Partridge, A Dictionary of Catch Phrases. Routledge, 1986) Sources of CatchphrasesCatch phrases can come from a variety of media sources. During the 1984 presidential campaign, Walter Mondale asked his Democratic rival Gary Hart, Wheres the beef? when he wanted to question his opponents political experience. Although the expression has since died, at the time there was widespread use of this phrase, which originated from a Wendys hamburger chain television commercial.Other examples of catch phrases include Homer Simpsons Doh; Bringing sexy back, from Justin Timberlakes hit single; Im kind of a big deal, a famous line from the 2004 comedy Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.(Joseph Turow, Media Today. Taylor Francis, 2008) Dated CatchphrasesA catchphrase often wears itself out thro ugh overuse. A faux pas among those in the know is to date oneself by the use of an out-of-date catchphrase. As we examined catchphrases . . ., we noted that the older catchphrases (e.g., the journalistic If in doubt, strike it out, from 1894) seem more fresh than the more recent ones (Are we having fun yet? from 1984).(Dale D. Johnson et al., Logology: Word and Language Play in Vocabulary Instruction, eds. J. F. Baumann and E. J. Kameenui. Guilford, 2003) The Catchphrase CrazePrince must be peeved.Taylor Swift, born six years after he urged us to party like it’s 1999, is seeking a trademark for party like it’s 1989 and other phrases from her current album, including this sick beat and nice to meet you; where you been.If approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Swift will have the exclusive right to use those phrases on a wide range of products, including clothing and accessories.She’s not alone in trying to cash in on catchphrases: The Seattle Seahawks have filed trademark applications for boom and the number 12, according to The Seattle Times. Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman registered height doesn’t measure heart. . . .It’s all part of a disquieting trend to lock up property rights at the expense of others’ free speech.(Ken Paulson, Catchphrase Craze Comes With Costs. The Californian, February 4, 2015) The Lighter Side of CatchphrasesMarge: I saved these for you, Bart. You ll always have them to remind you of the time when you were the whole worlds special little guy.Bart: Thanks, Mom.Lisa: And now you can go back to just being you, instead of a one-dimensional character with a silly catchphrase.Homer: Doh!Bart: Aye Carumba.Marge: Hmmmmm.Ned Flanders: Hidely-ho.Barney Gumble: [belches]Nelson: Ha-ha.Mr. Burns: Excellent.[Everyone stares at Lisa.]Lisa: If anyone wants me, Ill be in my room.Homer: What kind of catchphrase is that?(Bart Gets Famous. The Simpsons, 1994)Its just like Vince always said. I should think about what I do before I do it. How does he put it? Considering the consequences is awesomeness . . . sss . . .. He turned away and feverishly shook his head, mumbling. That is the worst catchphrase ever.(David O. Russell and Andrew Auseon, Alienated. Simon Schuster, 2009) Alternate Spellings: catch phrase