TV's 10 catchiest catchphrases

(Credit: NBC/Mitchell Haaseth)

Catchphrases. We fall in love with them, casually drop them into everyday conversation and squeeze every last drop of humor out until we can’t remember why we ever liked them in the first place.

The tube has given us plenty of catchphrases—some more memorable than others. Check out our list of the 10 catchiest catchphrases in television history—with accompanying video evidence!

(D'oh! Did we forget your favorite TV zinger? Leave us your picks in the comments section!)

10. The Office: "That's what she said..."
It's hard to imagine now, but Michael Scott's prolific use of "That's what she said" on "The Office" was almost subtle in the beginning. We're sure the writers had nothing but the best intentions when launching the “funny because it's not funny” gag, but the fact that it's certainly subjected to daily drunken repetition at frat houses across America tells us that it's time to put this baby to bed. That's what she said! (See what we mean?)

9. Full House: "You got it, dude."
Two of the most famous faces in the world have spent the whole of their adult lives running from four simple words. Some children’s first utterance is "mama," for others it's "cookie," but with the Olsen twins, we're pretty sure it was "You got it, dude." The phrase took Michelle Tanner from adorable toddler to annoying tween, but even after it grew exhausting, it was still so much better than sister Stephanie's cringe-worthy, "How rude!"

8. How I Met Your Mother: "Legendary"
Neil Patrick Harris and alter ego Barney Stinson have attempted to spawn various cultural memes and catchphrases on "How I Met Your Mother," but none has had the staying power of "Legen—wait for it—dary!" Yes, "Legendary" is so deeply rooted in the show's vernacular, its first two syllables have even been incorporated into a cliffhanger. Sure, it might be showing signs of wear after four seasons, but with proper execution, it still feels just like the first time.

7. South Park: "Oh my god! They killed Kenny!"
Matt Stone and Trey Parker can tell if a joke has gone too far, so when the practice of killing “South Park” kid Kenny in every episode—and announcing that death with someone screaming, “Oh my God! They killed Kenny!”—got tired, they killed him for good… and the catchphrase with him. Of course, they brought him back a year later for season six, but he hasn’t died again since.

6. Extras: "Are you havin' a laugh?!"
Towards the end of "Extras," Andy Millman (Ricky Gervais) got a starring role on show-within-a-show "When the Whistle Blows," where his annoying character captivated the United Kingdom whenever he blurted out "Are you havin' a laugh?!" And thus, the ironic catchphrase was born. Self-referential, smart and wickedly funny, "Extras" had a lot to say about television, so it makes sense that the show's lone catchphrase would be so meta.

5. Friends: "How you doin'?"
Despite following most other sitcom conventions and lingering on the air for nearly a decade, “Friends” was never really bogged down by catchphrases. There was one little gem, however, that reared its head on only the most special occasions. We’re speaking, of course, of Joey’s strategically wooing “How you doin’?” His dopey, unrealistic womanizing made him that much more endearing, but when he took the shtick—and his catchphrase—to his self-titled spin-off, it completely lost its charm.  

4. Cheers: "Norm!"
The theme song to “Cheers” tells us that it’s a place where everybody knows your name, but we’re pretty sure the patrons of the titular Boston bar only knew Norm. They—and the audience—screamed his name every time he walked into a scene. Treatment like that would make anyone feel good about themselves. Or like an alcoholic.

3. Diff'rent Strokes: "Whatchu talkin' bout, Willis?"
Who was this Willis? And what exactly was he talking about? These are the questions that plague a generation that’s unfamiliar with '70s/'80s sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes," but fully aware of its catchphrase.

2. Happy Days: "Aayyyy"
Much like it was the first television series to officially—and literally—jump the shark, “Happy Days” may have been the first to completely overplay the catchphrase (just check out the compilation below). Nearly every one of the series’ episodes contained a greaser greeting of “Aayyyy” from Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli. Iconic it may be, but if you think that didn’t get tired by episode 255, you’ve clearly never spoken with Henry Winkler’s therapist.

1. The Simpsons: "D'oh!"
Like some grand matriarch on a soap opera, Homer Simpson is one of the longest running characters in the history of scripted television. But instead of multiple personalities or a slew of ex-husbands, his well-known trademark is an exasperated “D’oh!” shouted every time he does something buffoonish—which we’re pretty sure has happened in each of the over 400 episodes. The beautiful simplicity and versatility of “D’oh!” helped it outlast extinct “Simpsons” catchphrases like “Eat my shorts” and “I’m Bart Simpson, who the hell are you?” (¡Ay, caramba!)

Honorable mention
Dinosaurs: "Not the mama!"
We couldn't resist. "Dinosaurs" may not have been the best show—or even a decent show—but most people will never forget that little baby dinosaur named Baby and his obnoxious catchphrase.

Photo Credits: Fox; Lorimar/WB/The Kobal Collection; NBC/Mitchell Haaseth