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Timeless TV Phrases That Have Become Part of Our Daily Vocabulary

Timeless TV Phrases That Have Become Part of Our Daily Vocabulary

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We are in an age where technology is advancing quicker than ever and it may be hard to see how influential television has been. Many of us have changed the way we view programs, whether using smartphones, tablets, or laptops, often bypassing the need for television access. However, it is hard to deny the influence that television has had and continues to have, on American culture.

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. TV is still considered one of the most important inventions of the 20th century. Today, these are the states where people watch the most TV.

24/7 Tempo has compiled a list of timeless TV phrases that are part of daily vocabulary. 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. 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.)

The timeless phrases on our list include such 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.” But if you’ve heard enough already, you can say, “Just the facts, ma’am.”

Here are timeless TV phrases that are part of our daily vocabulary

How do you do, fellow kids?

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
  • Show: 30 Rock

Phrasing!

Source: Courtesy of FX Network

Source: Courtesy of FX Network
  • Show: Archer

I’ve made a huge mistake

Source: Courtesy of Fox Network

Source: Courtesy of Fox Network
  • Show: Arrested Development

I am the danger.

Source: Courtesy of CNBC-e

Source: Courtesy of CNBC-e
  • Show: Breaking Bad

I’d like your $8-est bottle of wine, please

Source: Courtesy of KVH Media Group

Source: Courtesy of KVH Media Group
  • Show: Brooklyn 99

Norm!

Source: Courtesy of CanWest Global Communications

Source: Courtesy of CanWest Global Communications
  • Show: Cheers

Cool cool cool

Source: Courtesy of KVH Media Group

Source: Courtesy of KVH Media Group
  • Show: Community

What’chu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
  • Show: Different Strokes

Just the facts, ma’am

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
  • Show: Dragnet

I tried nice once. Didn’t care for it

Source: Courtesy of CanWest Global Communications

Source: Courtesy of CBS
  • Show: Everybody Loves Raymond

I’m listening

Source: Courtesy of CanWest Global Communications

Source: Courtesy of CanWest Global Communications
  • Show: Frasier

How come he don’t want me man?

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution
  • Show: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
  • Show: Friday Night Lights

How you doin’?

Source: Courtesy of AB Distribution

Source: Courtesy of AB Distribution
  • Show: Friends

Shut up and take my money

Source: Courtesy of 20th Television

Source: Courtesy of 20th Television
  • Show: Futurama

Winter is Coming

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
  • Show: Game of Thrones

So pick me, choose me, love me.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Television

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Television
  • Show: Grey’s Anatomy

True story

Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Television

Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Television
  • Show: How I Met Your Mother

Lucy I’m Home!

Source: Courtesy of CBS

Source: Courtesy of CBS
  • Show: I Love Lucy

What is…

Source: Courtesy of Columbia TriStar Domestic Television

Source: Courtesy of Columbia TriStar Domestic Television
  • Show: Jeopardy!

What’s up doc?

Source: Courtesy of HBO Max

Source: Courtesy of HBO Max
  • Show: Looney Tunes

We have to go back

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Television

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Television
  • Show: Lost

What do you want me to say?

Source: Courtesy of Audience Network

Source: Courtesy of Audience Network
  • Show: Mad Men

Treat yoself

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
  • Show: Parks & Rec

By order of the Peaky Blinders

Source: Courtesy of Endemol Worldwide Distribution

Source: Courtesy of Endemol Worldwide Distribution
  • Show: Peaky Blinders

Make it work

Source: Courtesy of Bravo Cable

Source: Courtesy of Bravo Cable
  • Show: Project Runway

Sashay away

Source: Courtesy of Amazon Studios

Source: Courtesy of Amazon Studios
  • Show: RuPaul’s Drag Race

More cowbell

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
  • Show: Saturday Night Live

It’s handled.

Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company

Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company
  • Show: Scandal

Eww!

Source: Courtesy of ITV Studios Global Entertainment

Source: Courtesy of ITV Studios Global Entertainment
  • Show: Schitt’s Creek

Zoinks

Source: Courtesy of CBS

Source: Courtesy of CBS
  • Show: Scooby Doo

Yada yada yada

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
  • Show: Seinfeld

I couldn’t help but wonder…

Source: Courtesy of Chum Television

Source: Courtesy of Chum Television
  • Show: Sex and the City

I thought this was America

Source: Courtesy of CanWest Global Communications

Source: Courtesy of CanWest Global Communications
  • Show: South Park

I’m ready!

Source: Courtesy of Nickelodeon

Source: Courtesy of Nickelodeon
  • Show: SpongeBob SquarePants

The tribe has spoken

Source: Courtesy of CBS Video

Source: Courtesy of CBS Video
  • Show: Survivor

I believe in Believe

Source: Courtesy of NBC

Source: Courtesy of NBC
  • Show: Ted Lasso

Bazinga

Source: Courtesy of KVH Media Group

Source: Courtesy of KVH Media Group
  • Show: The Big Bang Theory

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia

Source: Courtesy of CBS Paramount Domestic Television

Source: Courtesy of CBS Paramount Domestic Television
  • Show: The Brady Bunch

Hey now!

Source: Courtesy of Columbia TriStar Domestic Television

Source: Courtesy of Columbia TriStar Domestic Television
  • Show: The Larry Sanders Show

That’s what she said

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
  • Show: The Office

Come on Down!

Source: Courtesy of The Fremantle Corporation

Source: Courtesy of The Fremantle Corporation
  • Show: The Price is Right

D’oh

Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Television

Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Television
  • Show: The Simpsons

Madone

Source: Courtesy of Home Box Office

Source: Courtesy of Home Box Office
  • Show: The Sopranos

Heeeeere’s Johnny!

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
  • Show: The Tonight Show

You come at the king, you best not miss

Source: Courtesy of Home Box Office

Source: Courtesy of Home Box Office
  • Show: The Wire

The truth is out there

Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
  • Show: The X-Files

Is that your final answer?

Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company

Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company
  • Show: Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Just Jack

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
  • Show: Will & Grace

Smarter than your average bear.

Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
  • Show: Yogi Bear
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