Top 20 Most Iconic TV Catchphrases

The “Star Wars” films have inspired plenty of catchphrases, so it’s no surprise that this hit TV series did the same. Spoken frequently by Din Djarin, the Mandalorian whom the show follows, as well as fellow members of his particular sect of helmeted warriors, “this is the way” caught on in popularity as quickly as the show itself. Din and company use it as a kind of mantra and affirmation of their group’s set of rules, the Way of the Mandalore. However, fans and the memes they make have co-opted the phrase to apply to whichever life path or amusing situation they find themselves in. It’s still new, but we could see it becoming more iconic over time. This is, after all, the way.

Detectives on TV often have their trademark quotes, and Lieutenant Columbo is no exception. The superb yet unprepossessing investigator often appears inept to the people he’s questioning, but his questions always get him closer to the truth. And just when it seems like he’ll leave the suspect alone, he’ll turn back because he has “just one more thing” or some variation thereof. And that thing is generally the question or information that Columbo needs to get to the truth - or else leads to the suspect confessing. It’s a great phrase to use in many situations, particularly if you want to surprise someone with information. It’s been a favorite of lawyers and cops especially, we imagine.

The exclamation heard across thousands of bars, this catchphrase epitomizes the welcoming atmosphere of “Cheers.” Whenever regular customer and fan favorite Norm Peterson arrives, practically everyone in the place greets him by name. Norm usually follows this up with some sort of witty remark on life or beer. The beautiful thing about this catchphrase is how versatile it is. Even if you substitute someone else’s name in place of Norm’s, it can feel like a “Cheers” reference. Sometimes you wanna’ go where everybody knows your name, after all.

James Evans Jr. or J.J. was a breakout character when “Good Times” first aired. Part of his success was due to his wit and charisma. However, a major factor in what made him so memorable was his catchphrase. J.J. often exclaims “Dy-no-mite!” or else refers to himself as “Kid Dy-no-mite.” The catchphrase proved so popular that it nearly eclipsed the rest of the show entirely, with the expression enduring long after “Good Times” had faded into the background of pop culture. Thanks to J.J. and “Good Times,” people have never said “dynamite” in quite the same way.

Inspirational speeches are all well and good, but sometimes you need something easy to remember to keep your spirits up. Football coach Eric Taylor clearly thought so, as most of the pep talks he gives to his team before a game or during halftime end with him repeating this catchphrase. Whether it’s Coach Taylor himself saying it, or the team chanting it themselves, this phrase never fails to get us pumped. When you’re trying to bring the hype to others, or even just giving yourself advice, this is one catchphrase that you “can’t lose” by using.

This wholesome sitcom is loaded from top to bottom with catchphrases. Although “how rude!” was also tempting, please forgive our impoliteness, as this one just eclipsed it in popularity. The incredibly precocious youngest Tanner sibling Michelle often stole whichever scene she was in, no matter what she said. Still, this one really blew up, along with the show. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen saying “You got it dude!” was the ultimate kid catchphrase of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. As kids, we probably annoyed our parents by answering with this whenever we were asked to do something.

Given that Larry David plays a fictional version of himself and a lot of it is improvised, it could make it hard for a catchphrase in this show to stand out. However, thanks to how incredibly awkward Larry is, this one just fits. Larry often describes things by calling them “pretty good,” though he tends to draw it out quite a bit and vary it up depending on the situation. Whether he’s describing one of many disastrous social interactions or something positive, like his marriage, Larry’s catchphrase covers it all “prett-ay, prett-ay good.”

Don Knotts is incomparably funny as the blustering sheriff’s deputy Barney Fife. While he gets up to plenty of amusing antics during the show’s run, fans most often remember his reaction to any hint of wrongdoing. His solution to potential shenanigans is to “nip it in the bud” before they go any further. And sure, this expression existed before Barney, but his goofy and insistent personality and the fact that he was belting it on one of the most popular shows of the 1960s certainly put it into the public consciousness.

Speaking of Barneys, Barney Stinson is practically a catchphrase machine! The suit-loving, high-five giving bro has a dozen or so catchphrases, many of which he cultivates as part of his persona. Yet of them all, this is the most…well, you get it. Barney uses the word “legendary” frequently - Ted would argue too much. But with all the things he gets up to, events often reach a level where the moniker is appropriate. He also frequently interrupts the word with one of his other catchphrases, “wait for it.” But whether you wait for it or not, it’s become quite the epic catchphrase.

Most catchphrases take a couple of repetitions to catch on. Yet, it would probably surprise many to learn that this one is only spoken once in the entire run of the show! Jan Brady is often compared to her older sister Marcia, and when speaking to her parents, she laments that she only hears about her sister at school. Of course, pop culture (and even “The Brady Bunch Movie”) took this simple line and ran with it, to the point where it’s practically the rallying cry for everyone overshadowed by their older siblings.

Across “Doctor Who”’s many adventures throughout time and space, the Doctor has had a few catchphrases that have caught on. But arguably the most iconic catchphrase goes to one of the most iconic Doctors, played by David Tennant. His incarnation favors the French phrase for “let’s go,” finding many situations where it’s appropriate. These range from epic action scenes to casual conversations. The one he seems to enjoy most is meeting a man called Alonzo, which is kind of perfect. And “Doctor Who” fans are happy to quote the phrase in everyday life. The stakes may be lower when we’re just going to the grocery store, but the gusto is the same!

Arthur Fonzarelli, better known as Fonzie or the Fonz, is among TV’s coolest characters. His impossibly suave and charismatic demeanor and overwhelming popularity led to plenty of catchphrases. But while any of them could have been “correctamundo” for our list, sometimes a simple sound is enough to get the job done. However you spell the Fonzie noise, everyone knows what it is, and knows that it’s often accompanied by a thumbs up or two. Often used as a noise of general approval or success, this sound transcends language to become recognizable the world over.

All the noble houses of Westeros have memorable sayings or mottos that have made a splash on pop culture. But House Stark’s words have left the biggest mark: “Winter is coming.” Within the show, the phrase is a warning, both specifically relating to the icy threat from the far north, as well as a general reminder that things can always get worse - which really epitomizes “Game of Thrones,” if you think about it. The words have become a widespread meme, as well as a fun way of remarking on something ominous on the horizon.

A phrase that probably haunted actor Gary Coleman for decades, this catchphrase was popularized by the actor’s character Arnold Jackson on this ‘70s and ‘80s sitcom. Arnold had a habit of pursing his lips and asking what someone was, in fact, talking about. Although the target of his question was usually his brother Willis, he did vary it depending on whom he was asking. However, the catchphrase stuck with Willis, because it’s otherwise a pretty general question. But no matter who’s doing the asking or who’s being asked, “What’chu talkin’ bout, Willis?” is among TV’s most famous lines.

Sheldon Cooper is one of the more…unique sitcom characters. His lack of social skills and inability to pick up on comedic cues gives him an unusual sense of humor. Arguably the most famous of these are his “classic” pranks, which are usually accompanied by him using the nonsense word “bazinga,” to indicate he’s joking or that he thinks he’s put one over on someone. Along with its frequent use on the show, the word has entered the public lexicon as an alternative to other phrases like “zing” or “snap.” Although some people use it sarcastically, there’s no doubt that it’s become a famous catchphrase.

Although this “show about nothing” tended to use situational or observational humor more than catchphrases, many of its lines have entered pop culture. “No soup for you!” was a close runner-up, but Jerry Seinfeld’s hatred for his fellow building member Newman takes the cake. Jerry’s archrival frequently causes him misfortune, whether directly or indirectly. And whenever Jerry suffers for it, he mutters his hated rival’s name in annoyance. Whoever it is you blame for your own bad luck, fans of “Seinfeld” generally hold the same grinning mailman for their misfortune. Newman!

As one of the longest running science fiction franchises, “Star Trek” has had plenty of catchphrases that have “boldly gone” into our pop culture. As much as we would’ve liked to include Captain Picard’s catchphrase, we were unable to “make it so,” this time. Rather the entire Vulcan culture, first epitomized by Mr. Spock in the original series, has a catchphrase that’s among the most recognizable from TV. Along with the famous finger salute, Vulcans often greet or bid each other farewell with the phrase “live long and prosper.” It’s a simple, yet effective catchphrase that’s surprisingly heartfelt for a species that’s not big on emotions. We humans like it too though.

Steve Urkel is another character who by himself had more catchphrases than some entire shows! But easily his most popular and well-known is this one. The clumsy, dorky neighbor boy is always causing trouble, albeit unintentionally. So, when things inevitably go awry and he messes something up, he’ll ask in that whiny voice, “Did I do thaaaat?” It’s iconic because it’s such a common phrase, yet the tone Urkel uses for it is what takes it from memorable to something you couldn’t forget if you tried - and there are plenty who have, Carl Winslow among them!

Dunder Mifflin’s awkward boss Michael Scott never passes up an opportunity for a joke, particularly if there’s a lewd element to it. So whenever he, and occasionally other characters, spot an unintended innuendo they break out this catchphrase. Michael didn’t invent this saying, but he certainly went a long way towards popularizing it! We’re sure if you were to compare how many people pointed out innuendos using “That’s what she said” before and after “The Office” the difference would be staggering! It’s too big! Say it with us - that’s what she said.

There are many memorable catchphrases on this iconic sitcom. And while “We were on a break!” very nearly made the cut, it’s just not quite as universal as Joey Tribbiani’s go-to pick-up line. The ladies’ man manages to distill the art of flirting into a mere three words. It isn’t used as much as you may remember, and it does show up later than you might think (season 4!) Yet it’s so iconic that it’s practically become synonymous with pick-up lines. Not all of us have the charisma to pull it off as frequently as he does, but that hasn’t stopped “Friends” fans in their millions from trying!