Other Stock Phrases: Difference between revisions

* "Are you calling me an X?" Typically used to call out somebody making more-or-less veiled accusations of just that. Since 'X' is usually something bluntly unflattering such as "coward" or "liar", this also plays on the common social impulse to be tactful first and honest second in order to get the accuser to temporarily shut up or at least backpedal while flustered.

* "Are you happy now?" (or, alternatively, "I hope you're happy." or "I hope you're proud of yourself." or "I hope you're satisfied.")

** Multiple repetitions of this line or variations thereof make up much of the entire first half of the showstopper "Defying Gravity" from the musical ''[[Wicked (Theatre)|Wicked]]''.

* "As an X ... you make an excellent Y."

** And in one ''[[Buck Godot]]'' comic: *exasperated sigh* ''Fish!''

** [[Animaniacs (Animation)|"Boys! Go fig!"]]

* "But these creatures have been extinct for ''millions'' of years!" (They're [[Not So Extinct]].)

* "But why am I telling ''you'' all this? And you, a total stranger."

 

== E ==

** [[Monsters vs. Aliens|"Evidently, it eats lead."]]

** For instances of [[Abnormal Ammo]], substitute 'lead' with the appropriate substance. (For example, [[Darkwing Duck]]'s "Suck gas, evildoer!" or Elric's "Eat steel, beast!" from ''Die By The Sword''.)

** Subverted in ''[[The Simpsons]]'', where, after Bart declares this about his hand, we cut to ten minutes later, where we see it's become incredibly dirty.

** Similarly in the ''[[Discworld]]'' novel ''Jingo'', Nobby says he'll never wash his hankerchief again, then blows his nose ("It still bends, see?")

** One episode of ''[[Cow and Chicken (Animation)|Cow and Chicken]]'' has the latter declaring never to wash his eyeball again.

* "I'll sleep when I'm dead," or "Sleep is for the dead." May be countered with "If you don't sleep, you ''are''/''will be'' dead!"

* "I said '''sit down!'''"

* "Is it getting hot in here, or is it just me?" The standard quip by anyone under a great deal of pressure, especially as a result of trying to conceal lustful thoughts. Or maybe the building is on fire.

* "[[Summation Gathering|I suppose you're all wondering why I've gathered you here today...]]"

* "It Can't Happen Here"

* "Oh ''yes'', ''well done''." Said in a mocking tone. Occasionally accompanied by [[Sarcastic Clapping]].

* "Okay...okay, okay, okay, okay..." While freaking out as a [[Survival Mantra]].

* "Olé!" Response to any lively music that sounds even ''vaguely'' Spanish.

* "... once and for all!" -- how thoroughly the hero is going to defeat the villain, or vice-versa. (It always grates on this editor's ears, for some reason)

* "There's something you should know..." Usually said by character A to character B when character B is about to do something (or has just done something) that would turn out to be immoral or unwise if character B had the information that character A has. Or if Character A is about to dump a [[Reveal]] on B that makes their situation more complicated.

* "The very idea!" Shocked utterance of a [[Grande Dame]] or one who fancies herself such, often coupled with "Well I never!"

* "This is bad." or "This is not good." An understated version of [[Oh Crap]].

* "This isn't fair!" or "This isn't a fair fight." Generally followed by "Life isn't fair..." (see above)

** [[X Files]] had an episode with the title "This is Not Happening" where abductees {{spoiler|including Mulder}} are turning up dead.

** [[Tron|Flynn's]] reaction to discovering he's been transferred into the computer: "This isn't happening. It just thinks it's happening."

** Parodied in ''[[The Simpsons]]'' with the obese Comic Book Guy: "Those are prescription pants!"

* "This will all end in tears." Often used by [[The Eeyore]] to express doubt in the current plan or actions of other characters.

* "Well, that's new..." Overly calm reaction to a large change, frequently a form of [[Lampshade Hanging]].

* "We mustn't. I'd only feel cheap." Obsolete objection to adultery or other illicit behavior.

** ''[[Seinfeld]]'' dubbed this "The four most dangerous words in the English language."

** Brent Sienna from [http://www.pvponline.com PVP Online] once stated that "In all the history of mankind, nothing good has ever come after the phrase 'Honey, we need to talk.'"

** Dan Marino in ''[[Ace Ventura]]'' uses this: "I don't know how much psycho-woman's paying you, but I'll double it." "Forget it. Psycho-woman keeps us out of prison."

* "What have we here?"

* "What if it's a trick?" "What if it's not?"

* "What in the name of X is going on here?" where X is usually a [[Running Gag]] of the character's interests; i.e. a wrestling fan would put names of famous wrestlers in the place of X.

* "What kind of fool do you take me for?" Usually followed immediately by "Don't answer that," usually just before the second person actually does.

* "What sorcery is this?!" Usually said by a character from a primitive civilization/time period, usually when confronted by technology, rather than actual magic.

** Some exceptions in ''[[Gargoyles]]'' and ''[[Eternal Darkness]]'', when the lines are a reaction to actual magic.

** Common in [[Hanna-Barbera]] cartoons, especially ''[[The Flintstones]]''.

** [[Nightmare Fuel]] to ''[[Doctor Who (TV)|Doctor Who]]'' fans of late, thanks to [[Steven Moffat]].

* "Why am I [[Surrounded By Idiots]]?!": Said by the [[Big Bad]] after displays of particular incompetence by his minions.

* "Why, I oughtta..." Spoken with clenched fist and suppressed rage.