List of Comedic Catchphrases
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Fawlty Towers catchphrases
- "BASIL!" Sybil's constant cry of exasperation at her husband (John Cleese) and his latest misadventure. Basil's reply would usually be "Coming, my little ...", with the final word being an unlikely term of endearment such as "Venus Flytrap". The final episode, "Basil The Rat", features the twist that Manuel's pet "Siberian hamster" is also called Basil. In this episode, there is even confusion with the herb of the same name - as evidenced by Manuel's shocked line of "He put BASIL in the ratatouille?"
- Barcelona. Manuel's home town is the source of considerable amusement. Basil and Sybil are at great pains to reassure guests that "he's from Barcelona", whenever Manuel's language difficulties get in the way. In the episode "Communication Difficulties", Manuel's only response to Basil's frequent entreaties is "I know nothing. I come from Bartelona" (the difference in pronunciation is due to Andrew Sachs' Catalan accent adopted for the role).
- The Spanish Language. Manuel's mother tongue is also used for maximum comic effect. Basil's attempt at telling Manuel "There is too much butter on those trays" first causes the problem that the word "burro" means "donkey" and not "butter". Subsequently, Manuel informs Basil that "Is not 'on those trays'. Is 'uno dos tres'." Another line involves Manuel being asked where his boss - Basil - is (he is on vacation). The tradesman's question is "Where's your real boss, the Generalissimo?", to which Manuel immediately responds "In Madrid!"
- "Que?" Manuel's signature line, the Spanish for "What?", is an institution unto itself. Particularly by the second series, the studio audience greets his puzzled look and question with rapturous applause. In his memorable exchange with the hard-of-hearing guest in "Communication Difficulties", he proudly announces "Si. 'Que' 'What?'", a statement promptly misinterpreted to mean that the manager's name is CK Watt.
The Goon Show catchphrases
- "He's fallen in da wat-ah!" Usually preceded by a splashing noise.
- "You silly, twisted boy, you." Uttered by Hercules Grytpype-Thynne (Peter Sellers).
- "You rotten swine, you!" Said whenever Bluebottle is "deaded."
- "I'm the Famous Eccles!" Said by (obviously) (Mad Dan) Eccles (Spike Milligan)
- "You can't get the wood, you know." Uttered by Henry Crun (Sellers). This phrase was a parody of British post-war austerity during the 1950s.