“Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin” (Listen with Mother, 1950‐82); “Listen very carefully, I shall say this only once” (’Allo, ’Allo, 1984‐92); then “All systems go!” (NASA, late 1950s).
Catchphrases are, etymologically speaking, phrases with sufficient plausibility to “catch” people’s attention or interest. Advertisements still do this – “I’m only here for the beer”; “Because I’m worth it”; and “Finger‐lickin, good” will have “worked wonders” for their sponsors. In the early days of radio, catchphrases such as “Hello, playmates” and “Can I do yer now, sir!” were used to create an identity, a feature that has since been exploited on television: “Shut that door!”, “Who loves ya, Baby?”, and even on films: “Make my day” (Clint Eastwood); “I’ll be back” (Arnold Schwarzenegger). Sometimes phrases become catchphrases quite by chance: “I’m worried about Jim” (Mrs Dale’s Diary) and “Pass” (Mastermind).
The Oxford Dictionary of Catchphrases notes the sources of over 800 catchphrases. I suspect I may have to wait some time before someone asks me for the origin of “Yabba‐dabba‐doo”, “flobbadop” or “nanoo nanoo” (The Flintstones, The Flowerpot Men, and Mork and Mindy); but others, such as “Goody, goody gumdrops!”, “I’ll have whatever she’s having”, and “Nice one, Cyril!”, are, I guess, likely candidates. “And there’s more!”, more than just the origin is given. The meaning, background and context are also provided; thus, “I’ll give it five” is “a polite way of saying one doesn’t think very highly of whatever or whoever is in question, and pronounced ‘Oi’ll give it foive’ ”. The Brummie Janice Nicholls, panellist on ABCs TV’s pop music show Thank Your Lucky Stars, popularized the phrase and caused a fleeting popularity for the Black Country. These explanations are, strictly speaking, more than is necessary to identify and explain the significance of the catchphrase, but it is a value‐added extra that lifts the book above the purely functional; a book to relish and inform.
The main A/Z sequence is augmented by a Source Index that lists sources alphabetically and, under each, notes the one or more catchphrases featured in the book that relate to that source. The Fast Show, Late Night with David Letterman and Star Trek are the most prolific sources, but Dad’s Army, The Goon Show, ITMA and Reggie Perrin have a lot to answer for. Advert catchphrases are generally “one‐offs”, though Kellogg’s with three and Public Service Announcements (!) – e.g. “Be cool, stay in school” – with four, are the leaders.
This is a fascinating and lively collection of phrases that usefully augments other books of phrases and quotations on the library shelves. No subject approach is attempted – you try it! – but readers will be reminded of gems from their own past, and they will learn something of recent cultural history. There is also a section which gives some further detail of 54 of the sources which have generated three or more catchphrases noted here – The Navy Lark, Fawlty Towers and Private Eye are three – and there is a serious point to be made here. Catchphrases are a snapshot of popular culture – “I’ll get my wife to explain” (Basil Fawlty); “She knows, you know” (Hilda Baker); “Know what I mean, ’arry?” (Frank Bruno). All told, “A nice little earner”; “lovely jubbly” and “every home should have one”. So, “Goodnight, children … everywhere”, or, in the “words” of Jimmy Young, “BFN”.
“Anyone for tennis?”
