Many in the entertainment world are dropping the platform
The term "googled" has been used since the search engine was launched in 1998. However, it was first used on television on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' when Buffy's best friend Willow uttered the phrase in a 2002 episode.
This term, referring to one being stuck as friends rather than romantic partners, was popularized on 'Friends'. In the 1994 episode "The One with the Blackout," Ross is described as being "mayor of the friend zone."
Contrary to popular belief, the word "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" existed before it was popularized in 'Mary Poppins' (1964). It's used to describe something extremely good or wonderful.
Paparazzi is the plural form of the Italian word paparazzo. It became well known after filmmaker Federico Fellini released his classic movie 'La Dolce Vita' (1960), which follows a photographer named Paparazzo.
The term "ribbit" is typically used to imitate the croaking sound of a frog. Many argue the phrase originated in a 1965 episode of 'Gilligan's Island,' in which Mel Blanc voices a character called Ribbit the Frog. And, yes, that would be Mel Blanc of 'Looney Tunes' fame!
This phrase became a trademark catchphrase for the lead character, Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) in 'Clueless' (1995). Truly iconic!
This famous phrase from 'The Karate Kid' (1984) refers to circular hand movements used while polishing cars. It was used to teach the protagonist karate techniques and discipline.
The catchphrase "cowabunga" was originally popularized by a character on the US television program 'Howdy Doody' in the '50s. It later became associated with surfing culture, and then achieved worldwide popularity after it was featured regularly on the TV show 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.'
"Five-O" is a slang term used to describe a police officer. It was the title of the TV series 'Hawaii Five-O,' which followed a police unit of the same name. The show ran from 1968 until 1980. A reboot of the same name aired from 2010 to 2020.
Sources: (Stacker) (Best Life)
Primarily used as a sarcastic response to a remark that was intended to be funny, this phrase became popular thanks to the sitcom 'The Honeymooners' in the 1950s.
You may have used this to describe being "on the same page" with someone. Well, it originated as a literal psychic connection between individuals on 'Star Trek,' where consciousness is shared.
In 'Forrest Gump' (1994), the titular character (played by Tom Hanks) sums up his life philosophy by saying: "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get."
The term originates from a 1970 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' sketch, in which all of a restaurant's menu items became "spam," a canned and precooked meat product. Then everyone in the restaurant yelled "spam," which is strangely reminiscent of the feeling of being sent actual spam emails!
Have you ever passed off an unwanted gift to someone else? Turns out, you have 'Seinfeld' to thank. The word appeared in the season six episode "The Label Maker," in which a pair of Super Bowl tickets are repeatedly gifted from one character to another.
The perfect way to say "oops" or "ouch," we can all thank Homer from 'The Simpsons' for this one.
This word can be traced back to George Cukor's 1944 film 'Gaslight,' in which a young woman's (Ingrid Bergman) husband (Charles Boyer) plays spooky tricks, such as dimming the gaslight, to convince his wife she's crazy. Or rather, he gaslights her.
In a memorable scene from the TV drama 'Empire,' protagonist Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) shouts multiple times, "I gotta put me first!" The dramatic scene has become a popular meme on TikTok, where users lip sync it while making a joke about a selfish moment.
While the term isn't new, as deals have been broken for centuries, using it specifically in reference to relationships is fairly recent. '30 Rock' popularized it in this context, with its show-within-a-show 'Dealbreakers!'
"The perfect storm" describes a situation where everything that can go wrong is going wrong. The phrase was popularized by the 2000 film of the same name, which itself is based off the book of the same name!
Coined in the film 'Jerry Maguire' (1996), this phrase is used when someone wants to know how much they'll be paid for something.
Made famous in 'Toy Story' (1995), Buzz Lightyear’s famous line, which basically means anything is possible, continues to inspire.
Typically used when someone is in serious trouble, we can thank 'Ghostbusters' (1984) for it. Bill Murray's used it in the line, "All right, this chick is toast!"
This phrase was already used in legal documents and other areas, but after the 1993 film of the same name came out, it became used in the context of paying someone to sleep with their spouse.
This iconic phrase was uttered when Ben Stiller's character Derek Zoolander, in 'Zoolander' (2001), bumps into his rival Hansel (Owen Wilson) in a club. This leads to a standoff, in which Derek replies, "You're excused, and I'm not your bruh."
Referenced in "The Bucket List" (2007), this Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman movie popularized the idea of making a list of must-do items before one dies.
In the 2004 comedy 'Mean Girls,' Gretchen Wieners (Lacey Chabert) unsuccessfully attempts to make the term "fetch" popular. Used to describe something cool and alluring, it's become a well-known term nonetheless!
Though this expression has roots in Yiddish for an unimpressed feeling, it was really 'The Simpsons' that popularized it in 1994 as the modern term we use today.
There's no denying that the entertainment industry is responsible for shaping our world, including our vocabulary. From popular slang terms to phrases, both TV and movies have contributed big time. Going back decades in Hollywood history, new words and expressions that might have seemed like a funny punchline or a goofy twist to the story proved to be surprisingly durable. Just take the term "gaslighting" from 1944, which only relatively recently became popular. And even when these shows or films didn't invent these terms or phrases, they undoubtedly shined the spotlight on them!
Curious to discover some of the most significant slang terms and phrases Hollywood gave us? Then click through the following gallery.
This terminology comes from 'The Matrix' (1999), where it represents a choice between the willingness to learn a potentially life-changing truth by taking the red pill, or remaining in the experience of ordinary reality with the blue pill.
The Spanish translation of "see you later," Hasta la vista, baby received worldwide exposure after Arnold Schwarzenegger said it in 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' (1991).
Famous slang terms and phrases popularized by movies and TV shows
We've taken these onscreen vocabs to real life
CELEBRITY Vocabulary
There's no denying that the entertainment industry is responsible for shaping our world, including our vocabulary. From popular slang terms to phrases, both TV and movies have contributed big time. Going back decades in Hollywood history, new words and expressions that might have seemed like a funny punchline or a goofy twist to the story proved to be surprisingly durable. Just take the term "gaslighting" from 1944, which only relatively recently became popular. And even when these shows or films didn't invent these terms or phrases, they undoubtedly shined the spotlight on them!
Curious to discover some of the most significant slang terms and phrases Hollywood gave us? Then click through the following gallery.