catchphrase – My Geek Wisdom

“Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.”

From: America’s Top 40

Genre: Internet/Radio

Who said it?: Casey Kasem

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote is kind of an oddball because it didn’t originally come from the Internet, television, movies or cartoons. Rather, it comes from the radio, specifically, the America’s Top 40 program. However, it does have some geeky links as it comes from the original voice of Shaggy from Scooby-Doo.

The quote actually comes from Casey Kasem, a radio DJ and the aforementioned voice of Shaggy. As the host of America’s Top 40 and it’s subsequent television version, America’s Top 10, he would count down the biggest music hits of the time. Just before the show would end, he would sign off with his signature catchphrase, which would be this week’s quote.

Geek wisdom: There’s no harm in chasing for success. However, you should always remember your roots and keep yourself grounded.

“Not a robot” and “Not a girl”

From: The Good Place

Genre: Televison

Who said it?: Eleanor Shellstrop

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the NBC comedy series, The Good Place. The show focuses on four humans who have died and are now supposedly spending eternity in The Good Place. One of the people, Eleanor Shellstrop, apparently isn’t supposed to be there as she was a bad person while she was alive. The first season then focuses on her journey to be a person worthy of being in The Good Place in order to avoid being sent to The Bad Place.

The quote is actually kind of a catchphrase for one of the characters of the show. The quote is delivered by Janet (played by D’Arcy Carden), who acts like a sort of helper for the residents of The Good Place. As she generally has the features of a female and also acts like a machine, some people call her those things. Usually, Janet will correct them with either quote.

Unfortunately, I cannot really find a video clip of her saying the quotes but there is a GIF that does illustrate her saying this.

Geek wisdom: You should be the one that defines yourself, not others. People will think of you as supposed to be behaving a certain way because of your age, race or gender. But you are the one in control of your life and it is you who run it, not them.

“Wubba Lubba Dub Dub!”

From: Rick and Morty

Genre: Television, Cartoons

Who said it?: Rick Sanchez

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Cartoon Network’s Rick and Morty, which is aired during their late night programming schedule called Adult Swim. The show was created by Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland and follows the sci-fi misadventures of the nihilistic and cynical drunkard Rick Sanchez and his rather paranoid and nervous grandson Morty Smith (both voiced by Justin Roiland). The show has become a huge hit due to its dark humor and creativity.

The quote first came at the end of the episode entitled Meeseeks and Destroy. Rick proclaimed it to be his catchphrase and used it sporadically throughout the first season.

While the entire family, including Morty, thought it was just a nonsense string of words Rick strung together, it was revealed otherwise during the final episode of the first season, Ricksy Business. During the closing moments of the episode, one of Rick’s friends, Bird Person, informs Morty that the phrase does have a sadder meaning in his language…

Fun fact: if you search for the exact quote in Google, it will actually translate the phrase for you from Bird Person’s language.

Geek wisdom: There may people around you that are feeling great pain and you may not even know it. It could be they are too proud to admit that they need help or they might feel that even their loved ones will not understand why they feel that way. If we do feel that someone close to you isn’t feeling well, either physically and mentally, the best thing you can do is, at least, acknowledge that they feel that way and not dismiss it. Better yet, be there for them when they do need you.

“I gotta believe!”

From: PaRappa The Rappa

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Parappa the Rapper

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Parappa the Rapper, one of the very first rhythm games to ever appear on the PlayStation. In the game, you control a dog named Parappa and press the buttons at the right time to keep up with the rhythm of the stage’s song.

Usually, before playing the stage, Parappa will encounter some situation where he decides that he has to learn a skill to impress his crush, Sunny Funny. Before he does go try to learn this new skill, he utters the quote, which is sort of his catchphrase.

Geek wisdom: If you want to achieve your dreams, you have to believe you can. But, not only that, you have to work at it. Simply believing that you can doesn’t mean that you will. Parappa may only be doing small steps but those small steps are the first ones he needs to take to actually make his dreams a reality.

“Whatcha talkin’ ’bout, Willis?”

From: Diff’rent Strokes

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Arnold Jackson

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Diff’rent Strokes. The show was a very successful sitcom that ran from 1978 to 1986. In the show, businessman Mr. Drummond takes in two African American kids from Harlem, Willis and Arnold and adopts them. The show follows a classic “fish out of water” scenario wherein Willis (played by Todd Bridges) and Arnold (played by Gary Coleman) as they try to adjust to living in luxury as well as trying to fit in with high society.

The quote is actually the catchphrase of Arnold as he says it multiple times in the show. He doesn’t necessarily always question Willis and he does substitute different people at times. But since he usually questions his older brother, the quote is usually mentioned as such.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, you just need to get some clarity on a situation. There are times when we say that we understand something even though we really don’t. Whether it be because we don’t like to ask questions or we don’t like to look stupid, it doesn’t, and it shouldn’t matter. Clarify and ask questions while it’s still early.

“You’re in my spot.”

From: The Big Bang Theory

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Sheldon Cooper

The story behind the quote: The quote comes the very successful sitcom, The Big Bang Theory. The story revolves around a group of four nerds/geeks who love nerdy/geeky things. Among the four, Sheldon Cooper (played by Jim Parsons) proved to be the show’s breakout star due to all of his quirky mannerisms and obsessive-compulsive behavior.

One of results of this obsessive-compulsive behavior is the need to sit on a certain part of the sofa. While he does have valid reasons for liking this spot (it’s never too cold/hot, great viewing angle of the television, etc.), Sheldon made it a rule that no one else is allowed to sit on it and he will chastise anyone if they do attempt to take his appointed seat. In fact, he says the quote so many times it’s become one of his more popular catchphrases.

Geek wisdom: We all have our own routines and we do get settled in our own ways. Sometimes, these little consistencies help us go through the turbulent and ever-changing world.

Yes, change may be a good thing. But there is something to be said about being able to return to something familiar as well.

“…Stop calling me ‘Sir’.”

From: Peanuts

Genre: Comics

Who said it?: “Peppermint” Patty

The story behind the quote: The quote comes the very popular Peanuts comic strip. Created by Charles M. Schulz, Peanuts featured a huge cast of characters, but most of the time, it revolves around the down on his luck, Charlie Brown. While most of the kids appear to pick on him for various reasons, he does have a few friends and admirers. Two of them happen to be “Peppermint” Patty, a tomboyish girl who loves sports, and Marcie, “Peppermint” Patty’s bookish and “dorky” best friend/sidekick.

The quote has actually become a sort of catchphrase for “Peppermint” Patty as she has to keep on repeating it to Marcie, who can’t seem to help herself… even after Patty’s numerous requests to stop.

Geek wisdom: It’s okay to show your respect to people by using an honorific title, such as “sir” or “ma’am.” However, there are going to be people that don’t like this and prefer that you use their name. While it may seem impolite not to use “sir,” “ma’am,” or other honorific title, it’s more disrespectful to not honor their request.

“Better call Saul!”

From: Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Saul Goodman

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from not one, but two television shows. These shows being the phenomenal Breaking Bad and its spin-off, Better Call Saul. Breaking Bad follows Walter White, a nerdy chemistry teacher who gets cancer and decides to manufacture and sell meth in the hopes he will secure his family’s financial future. This starts his downward spiral into a life of crime. One of the more popular characters of Breaking Bad is Saul Goodman (played by Bob Odenkirk), a smarmy lawyer who is familiar with the criminal underworld.

In Breaking Bad, Saul uses the quote as a catchphrase for his commercials.

While it remains to be seen if the quote/catchphrase will be used in the new show or if we’ll see how Saul Goodman comes up with it, it is the title of the show…

Geek wisdom: Everyone needs a little help nowadays but there are times when we can be stubborn and try to tough it out. There is no shame asking for assistance, especially if you know another person will be better at resolving your issue for you.

“No sir. I don’t like it.”

From: The Ren & Stimpy Show

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Mr. Horse

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the 90’s Nickelodeon cartoon The Ren & Stimpy Show. Ren is frail Chihuahua who is prone to violent outbursts. He’s usually accompanied by Stimpy, a dim-witted and cheerful cat. Although targeted at kids (it is a cartoon after all), the show became controversial because they would show some adult humor which would go over children’s heads.

The quote comes from one of the supporting cast, Mr. Horse. The quote is actually Mr. Horse’s catchphrase of sorts. Generally, whenever Mr. Horse is asked to give his opinion about anything, he would express his negative feelings regarding it.

Geek wisdom: You can’t always be agreeable with everything and/or everyone. Each of us has his own opinions regarding various topics. However, even though something goes against popular opinion, that doesn’t mean that person’s viewpoint is invalid.

We like and dislike things to different degrees. We have to be tolerant with how other people feel on certain topics.

“I’m the best there is at what I do. But what I do isn’t very nice…”

From: X-Men

Genre: Comics

Who said it?: Logan/Wolverine

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Wolverine, everyone’s favorite yellow spandex wearing, cigar chomping Canadian mutant. He is probably the most popular and most recognizable X-Men character in the world today. Which is kind of astonishing since, originally, his first appearance was in Hulk #181 (as an opponent to both The Incredible Hulk and Wendigo). It wasn’t until much later that Logan joined a new group of X-Men to rescue the original members.

Logan pretty much acknowledges that he is a vicious killer and will do things that may seem unnecessarily violent. But he does recognize that his skills do serve a purpose as noted by his catchphase.

Geek wisdom: Everyone has his or her own special talent and, no matter what it is, it’s something that you should be proud of. There may be times when you feel your special gift should be hidden away or it should be something you should be ashamed of. But everything you’re good at has to be shared with everyone… because it deserves to be shared with others.