There was a time when most Americans were watching the same television shows across the country. During that era, T.V. catchphrases became part of everyday life. Friends repeated these lines at school, coworkers quoted them around the office, and families threw them into conversations. Some became so popular that they appeared on T-shirts, lunch boxes, and greeting cards. Although younger generations have never heard them, these one-liners were once quoted constantly. Whether funny, sarcastic, or downright silly, these lines were certainly memorable. Here are eight forgotten TV catchphrases that almost everyone used to say.
1. “Dy-no-mite!” — Good Times
J.J. Evans’ enthusiastic shout of “Dy-no-mite!” on Good Times used to be frequently tossed around. Actor Jimmie Walker delivered the line with so much energy that audiences couldn’t help but mimic it. People around the country began repeating it almost as soon as it aired. Before long, the phrase was put on merchandise, used in comedy routines, and worked into everyday conversation. Fans shouted the line at Walker whenever they saw him in public. While it isn’t heard much anymore, “Dy-no-mite!” is instantly recognized by anyone who was watching television back in the ‘70s.
2. “Whatchoo Talkin’ ‘Bout, Willis?” — Diff’rent Strokes
Gary Coleman’s popular character, Arnold Jackson, turned this question into one of television’s most quoted lines. In fact, this one-liner is still commonly heard even today. Although Arnold didn’t say it exactly the same way in every episode, he asked the question consistently throughout the life of the hit show Diff’rent Strokes. It was his signature exclamation whenever something unbelievable happened on the sitcom. Soon people everywhere were repeating it whenever someone said something surprising, ridiculous, or just hard to believe. The catchphrase became so popular that it has continued appearing in media decades after the sitcom went off the air.
3. “Kiss My Grits!” — Alice
On the television show Alice, diner waitress Flo made “Kiss my grits!” one of the sassiest comebacks on television. Rather than using bad language, Flo spoke her mind to rude customers by repeating the cute Southern expression. Since Flo worked in a diner where grits were on the menu, the expression fit the character perfectly. The phrase became widespread enough to appear on bumper stickers, mugs, and other novelty products throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s.
4. “I’ve Fallen, and I Can’t Get Up!”
We’re cheating a bit with this one, as the well-known line didn’t originate from a television series. Still, this line from the popular medical alert commercials was constantly repeated throughout the late 1980s due to its ridiculous nature. The phrase was meant to be delivered seriously, but the poor acting, over-the-top line reading, and fake-looking fall made the exclamation downright funny. The commercial was replayed so often that everyone knew the quote after hearing it daily. It quickly became part of pop culture and was referenced in sitcoms, stand-up comedy, and movies for years afterward.
5. “Book ‘Em, Danno.” — Hawaii Five-O
Every episode of the original Hawaii Five-O seemed to end with Steve McGarrett ordering, “Book ’em, Danno.” The simple command became strongly associated with the accomplished feeling of finally catching the bad guy. Even people who never watched the series knew of the line thanks to decades of reruns and cop references.
6. “Nanu Nanu.” — Mork & Mindy
Before Robin Williams charmed mass audiences of the 90s and early 2000s, he embodied the friendly alien Mork. The endearing extraterrestrial greeted friends with the quirky phrase “Nanu Nanu.” The cute way of saying hello became a nationwide phenomenon almost immediately. For extra fun, the greeting came with a simple hand gesture! Children repeated it on playgrounds. Nanu Nanu became one of the defining television quotes of the late 1970s. Fans still repeat it fondly, with the late actor in mind.
7. “Up Your Nose with a Rubber Hose!” — Welcome Back, Kotter
Vinnie Barbarino and the Sweathogs made this goofy insult famous during the 1970s show Welcome Back, Kotter, featuring soon-to-be megastar, John Travolta. The insult was supposed to be harsh, but it was actually silly and harmless. It was endlessly repeated by kids across America, generally directed towards their parents. Adults may have grown tired of hearing it, but they couldn’t complain too much. It’s about as innocent a form of talking back that ever existed.
8. “Sit on It!” — Happy Days
“Sit on it!” wasn’t specific to any one character on Happy Days, as the entire cast said it at one time or another. The funny insult became one of the show’s oft-repeated lines. The phrase became a lighthearted way of telling someone to get lost. During the show’s airing, kids repeated it constantly, and parents couldn’t get mad because it didn’t involve an ounce of profanity.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Doctor Free / BY-SA 2.0.