History Main / TwoWordsObviousTrope

->'''Danae''': Well? What are you waiting for?\\
'''Lucy''': A good reason to do this...\\
'''Danae''': Two words, Lucy...Risk Management.\\
'''Lucy''': Oh, I think I'm gonna need a ''lot'' more words than that.
-->-- ''ComicStrip/NonSequitur''

Two words: Spurious emphasis. Something so fundamental that it can be expressed in a snappy utterance, or just its mere existence. In fiction, if the reference is something the characters know about but never reveal to the audience, it can be an instance of "Two words: NoodleIncident".

For comedic effect, TheDitz or TheFool will sometimes miscount the words, or anyone may break a single word into two parts for additional emphasis.

----
!!Examples

[[foldercontrol]]

!!! Accurate count of words:

[[folder:Advertising]]
* Creator/DenisLeary appeared in a number of MTV ads in the early 90s where he regularly invoked this trope, including [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D3N4COZ4LE this public service ad]] promoting tolerance and condemning racism:
-->"One word folks, racism. One more word, Earth. If anyone gets any mail from outer space, that's gonna be the mailing address, okay?...I've got two words for you, David Duke. I got two more words, Nose Job, okay?"
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Comic Books]]
* To quote Jubilee from ''ComicBook/GenerationX''...
-->"Three words, chump. Back and off."
* In Issue 5 IDW's ''ComicBook/{{My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic|IDW}}'' comic, Rainbow Dash sums up one of her plans to rescue Rarity from the Nightmare spirits with "Two words: time machine!"
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Fan Works]]
* ''WebAnimation/TurnaboutStorm'' has an {{exaggerat|edTrope}}ion, courtesy of Pinkie Pie.
-->'''Pinkie''': You know what this calls for? Two words: A PARTY!\\
'''Phoenix''': A party?\\
'''Pinkie''': Twenty one words: Yeah, a party! You should come celebrate, too! Because I love having parties with all my friends after something good happens!\\
'''Phoenix''': ''*Counting*'' "After... something... good... happens..." ''*{{beat}}*'' H-How did you...!?
* In the ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom''/''Film/{{Beetlejuice}}'' {{crossover}} ''FanFic/SayItThrice'', Betelgeuse gets to deliver one to the poltergeist [[OriginalCharacter Sanduleak]].
-->'''Betelgeuse''': "Two words. {{Sandworm}} bait."
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Film]]
* The trope may have originated in ''TheGraduate'', with one word: "Plastics."
* ''Film/IndependenceDay'': "Two Words, Mr. President. PlausibleDeniability."
* ''SisterAct''
-->'''Sister Mary Clarence''': I got two words for ya, Vince!\\
'''Mary Roberts''': Mary Clarence!\\
'''Sister Mary Clarence''': ...bless you.
* In ''Film/ThisIsSpinalTap'', one of the band's reviews for ''Shark Sandwich'' is "Just two words: 'Shit sandwich.'" This is one of the few times where the cast actually laughs.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}}'' tells Donkey at one point: "Two words: Shut up!"
* In the film ''Beautiful Girls'', Andera tells Tommy there are four words she needs to hear before going to sleep; "Good night sweet girl."
** Later in the film, as Marty and Willie are discussing Willie's girlfriend Tracy, Marty says, "Two words not in her vocabulary; lunch money."
* Film/AliGInDaHouse has two words: "Keep It Real!" Of course somebody else immediately points out that that's ''three'' words, and it's followed by a debate on whether "it" counts as a word because of how short it is.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* From a ''Series/WhitestKidsUKnow'' sketch:
-->'''Executioner:''' Do you have any last words?\\
'''Prisoner:''' YES, JUST THREE.\\
''*beat*''
* ''Series/TheWestWing'' episode "Stirred" has Bartlet explain that the reason he wants to keep Hoynes as his vice-president is "four words," which he writes down: [[spoiler:"Because I could die."]]
* The magician Rudy Coby, in one of his TV specials, invokes the "two words" thing with this exchange:
-->'''Rudy Coby:''' Everything you've seen today can be explained with just one word:\\
'''Offscreen Guy:''' Hairspray.\\
'''Rudy Coby:''' No, hair spray is ''two'' words. One word: ''science''.
* In ''MarriedWithChildren'', when Kelly is rendered bald and bearded by the side effects of a pimple cure, the director of a beer commercial she was to star in cancels the shoot. Upon hearing this, the StrawFeminist group protesting the commercial threaten to sue.
-->'''Director (to Al):''' Can they do that? Sue on behalf of the ugly?\\
'''Al Bundy:''' Four words: Attorney General Janet Reno.
* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''
** Ordered by Buffy to explain what he's doing [[YouTalkTooMuch in five words]], Spike retorts "Out. For. A. Walk." Realizing he still has one left, he adds, "''[[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch Bitch]]''."
** When Wesley sees Cordelia for the first time, Faith tells him "First word Jail, second word Bait."
** Principal Snyder refuses to allow Buffy back into school, so Giles goes to have a quiet word.
-->'''Snyder:''' If the word is Buffy, then I have two words. "Good" and "Riddance".
* ''{{Series/Supernatural}}''. The jailbait gag is also used when Dean insists on being the one to interview a [[AllGuysWantCheerleaders high-school cheerleader]].
* ''GavinAndStacey'', when Smithy goes to the stag party organiser:
-->'''Jammy the Stag Party Organiser:''' One word:\\
'''Overhead Projector:''' PRAGUE\\
'''Jammy:''' Two words:\\
'''Projector:''' PISS UP\\
'''Jammy:''' One word:\\
'''Projector:''' TITS
* A variation has appeared twice in ''Series/DoctorWho'', in that it is crucial to the plot. In the episode The Christmas Invasion, The Doctor emphasizes to everyone present that with only six words he can bring down Harriet Jones' government. He says the words "Don't you think she looks tired?" and Harriet Jones' government collapses within the day. In the Series 3 finale, Martha Jones prepares everyone in the world to say "just one word.. Doctor" at the exact same instant and, with spectacular use of a Chekhov's Gun (somehow), brings the Doctor back to his original state and saves the entire planet.
** A third time, at the end of Turn Left, [[spoiler: Donna relays a message from Rose to the Doctor: "She told me to tell you two words... [[{{ArcWords}} Bad Wolf]]". Cue the Doctor's [[{{OhCrap}} Oh Crap]] [[{{ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill}} and the Cloister Bell for emphasis]]]].
* Played with in ''Series/ThirtyRock'':
-->'''Donaghy''': One word: Surge.\\
'''Tracy''': [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} That's two words]]!
* One ''Series/WhoseLineIsItAnyway'' improv game starts by giving each player a number, and they had to act out a scene by speaking only lines consisting of that number of words. HilarityEnsues.
--> '''Stephen Fry, 6 words:'''
'Well I'm sorry, but it gets.'
'''*beat*'''
'My goat to hear her talk!'

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Music]]
* Music/KanyeWest's album ''College Dropout'' has a song called "Two Words".
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Newspaper Comics]]
* A few from ''{{Garfield}}'':
** [[http://garfield.nfshost.com/1979/01/05/ January 5, 1979]]:
-->'''Jon''': Do you know why you need me, Garfield? I can sum it up in two words. Quality companionship.\\
'''Garfield''': Body heat.
** [[http://garfield.nfshost.com/1991/12/29/ December 29, 1991]]:
-->'''Garfield''': Sigh. Christmas is over, and New Year's is almost here. Sigh. So it seems appropriate at this time to stop and reflect. To reflect on those three words which represent the true meaning and spirit of the holiday season... '''Boogie!''' '''Boogie!''' '''Boogie!'''
** [[http://garfield.nfshost.com/1995/07/15/ July 15, 1995]]:
-->'''Jon''': It's the weekend, and you know what that means... Two words, Garfield... “Board games”.\\
'''Garfield''': [[SarcasmMode Whoa! My fun meter is a-jumpin' off the scale!]]
** In the book ''Garfield's Book Of Super School Excuses'', one of the excuses for "Why I didn't go to gym class" is "Two words: Towel snapping.", and one of the ones for "Why my library books are late" is "Two words: Hungry termites".
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Pro Wrestling]]
* Used as a CatchPhrase by Wrestling/DGenerationX from ''WWE''...
-->"We've got Two Words for ya!! SUCK IT!!!"
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Stand Up Comedy]]
* A Creator/SteveMartin stand-up comedy routine from the 1970s. "You can be a millionaire and never pay taxes. Yes, you can have one million dollars and never pay taxes! How? First, get a million dollars. Now, you might ask, Steve, what do I do when the tax man comes by and says, 'You have never paid taxes'? Two words: 'I forgot.' How often do we get in trouble because we don't say 'I forgot'? Armed robbery? Just say, 'I forgot armed robbery was illegal.'" The bit predictably ends with, "Two words: 'Excuuuuse me!'"
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Theatre]]
* In ''Theatre/AFunnyThingHappenedOnTheWayToTheForum'', Pseudolus triggers the intermission just as he's been sentenced to death by begging to say a word ... just one word ... a very important word ...: INTERMISSION!
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* In ''VideoGame/DestroyAllHumans 2'', Crypto tries to convince British hippies that Arkvoodle has the best collection of music in the galaxy. When they ask what Arkvoodle listens to, Crypto says "Three words. And one of them's a disease. Blind Willie Syphilis."
* There was a Spider-Man text adventure for the Commodore 64 whose parser only understood two word commands ("go north", "take mcguffin", etc). So when you wanted to web something up, you had to use the command "shoot web", to which the game would reply: "In two words: AT WHAT?" after which you then had to enter another two word command like "at sandman".
* In ''VideoGame/TalesOfMonkeyIsland'', if Guybrush asks Hemlock [=McGee=] what happened to his legs in Chapter 1:
-->'''Hemlock:''' Four words - The. Marquis. De. Singe.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Web Original]]
* According to [[SFDebris Chuck Sonnenburg]] in part 1 of his [[http://blip.tv/sf-debris-opinionated-reviews/clone-wars-nightsisters-trilogy-review-part-1-6096569 Nightsisters]] review, there was a two word review for the [[StarWarsTheCloneWars Clone Wars]] animated movie: [[spoiler: "[[PrecisionFStrike Shit]] sandwich."]]
** [[spoiler: Which he then reuses more than half a minute later to describe his opinion on the first episode of the cartoon based off of said movie.]]
* In ''WebVideo/TenLittleRoosters'', Ryan has to play Charades with Miles to get him to put on the headset in the soundbooth.
-->'''Miles:''' ''[Ryan holds up two fingers]'' Two words. ''[Ryan does gesture for sound]'' Sounds like... ''[Ryan [[FlippingTheBird flips off Miles]]]'' Go fuck yourse-- Oh, you want me to put on the headset.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]
* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick''
** After Haley had her voice scrambled for months, an attack on the thieves guild was a chance for the three words Haley'd been longing to say: "Sneak attack--[[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch bitch!]]" Later lampshaded when Bozzok tries to pull the same "two words: sneak attack!" gag:
-->'''Haley''': Oh my gods, I've done that "two words" gag like nine times already! You're going to need some fresher material if you want to be a villain in this story. [[TakeThatMe Not that much fresher]], but still.
** Shojo reminds Roy that Roy's in as deep as he is with all these deceptions with Two Words: "your trial," then elaborates about the extent he went to rig things so they would be found not guilt of weakening the fabric of reality (as opposed to having mitigating circumstances).
** When Xykon is warned about dissension in the ranks:
-->'''Xykon''' Well, I've got two words for goblin morale: [[VillainousDemotivator Goblin zombies.]]
** And again in strip 252:
-->'''Nale''': Oh really? Please explain why we're suddenly in such a hurry.\\
'''Sabine''': Four words: Out of fudge ripple.\\
'''Thog''':oh, little ice cream friends! thog delays boredom-driven rampage only for you!
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* In the "Late Show" episode of ''SpaceGhostCoastToCoast,'' the #1 line on the "Big Ten list" is "'Two words.' * beat* That's it, just... 'two words.'"
* In ''TheSpectacularSpiderman'', J. Jonah Jameson gives a Seventeen Words response to one of Peter's protests, followed by him giving a 17-word suggestion. Humor ensues when Peter questions how fast talking J.J. Jameson could count the amount of words he would use in his next sentence in the split second it took him to say the words.
* Parodied in ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "I Married Marge" when Patty says, "Marge, I've got two-and-a-half words for you. Gulp. 'N'. Blow."
** When Lisa asks for advice on how to gently let down Ralph Wiggum, Homer suggests, "Six simple words: I'm not gay, but I'll learn."
* WesternAnimation/DarkwingDuck after facing a huge fire-breathing monster; "Two words, breath mint."
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Real Life]]
* One of the best known examples comes courtesy of President UsefulNotes/CalvinCoolidge. When a reporter told him he had made a bet he could get more than two words out of "Silent Cal", the president replied, "You lose."
* An example in Polish is the "three words to the presiding father" audio clip, in which an anonymous caller phones a somewhat infamous radio station in order to say [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin three (or four, depending how you're counting) words to the presiding father]], which can be translated as "dick up your arse".
* This was Music/KellyClarkson's response when she was asked about her role in the critically panned musical ''From Justin to Kelly'': [[OldShame "Two words: Contractually obligated!"]]
[[/folder]]

----

* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' had the three words Haley'd been longing to say: "Sneak attack--[[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch bitch!]]" Later lampshaded when Bozzok tries to pull the same "two words: sneak attack!" gag:

!!! Inaccurate word count:

[[folder:Advertising]]
* A 1980s commercial for Alka Seltzer Cold Medicine where a group of construction workers touted the product. One of them said "in a word: it works."
* From an 80s car commercial starring Jim Varney as Ernest P. Worrell: "I've got one word for you, Vern, new car!"
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8h0aMVtKLg A PlayStation3 commercial]] featuring Advertising/KevinButler.
-->'''Customer''': Dear PlayStation! Just got my [=PS3=]! So whatcha got?\\
'''Kevin Butler''': What do I got? Two words: mon, tage.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Film]]
* ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory2'' had Stinky Pete get this ''wrong'' while explaining the reason for the declining popularity of ''Woody's Roundup'': "Two words: Sput Nik." [[DontExplainTheJoke Stinky Pete was referring to unmanned Russian satellite ''Sputnik'', the beginning of the "Space Race"]].
* In ''Film/MidnightRun'' Walsh is getting annoyed by Mardukas' nagging, leading to the following exchange.
-->'''Mardukas''': Jack, you're a grown man. You have control over your own words.\\
'''Walsh''': You're God damn right I do, so here come two for you; "shut the fuck up".
* In ''Film/ReservoirDogs'', Mr. Pink says the line, "Two words: learn to fucking type."
* ''Film/TrueLies'': "Okay, I've got two words for that: In. Sane."
* ''Film/AnalyzeThat'' has a scene where Billy Crystal's character is talking with a pair of police detectives, one of whom is an attractive woman in a short skirt. After Crystal's wife, played by Lisa Kudrow, catches him staring at her legs (and inadvertantly commenting on them via a FreudianSlip), she excuses herself from the room, then glances at the female cop: "Two words of advice, from one professional woman to another: Pant. Suit."
* Phil from Disney's ''Disney/{{Hercules}}'' (the movie, the TV series, ''and'' the Hercules-themed world in ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts'') [[RunningGag was always getting this wrong as well.]]
-->"I got two words for ya kid--I am retired!"\\
\\
"What is that?!"\\
"Two words -- am-scray!" (PigLatin for scram, for those under a rock.)\\
\\
Hercules (imitating Phil): Two words: Duck!
** As a BilingualBonus, "I am retired" ''is'' two words in Ancient Greek.
** And the one time he ''did'' have the right number, in his song "One Last Hope", he was forced to make a LastSecondWordSwap.
-->'''Phil''': "My answer is ''two words''..." [[BoltOfDivineRetribution (Gets hit by lightning)]] "...o-kay."
** One time when he messed this up in ''KingdomHearts,'' Goofy even ''[[LampShading counted]]'' the words and got confused when he heard four instead of two.
-->"Two words: You guys. Ain't. Heroes!"
*** When this exchange is rephrased in ''[[KingdomHeartsChainOfMemories Chain of Memories]]'', it comes with a LampshadeHanging:
-->'''Phil:''' Two words: You ain't heroes!\\
'''Sora:''' That's not right!\\
'''Goofy:''' Yeah, he said three words.
** Then of course:
-->'''Phil:''' Now remember, the best way to become a hero comes down to two words.\\
'''Goofy:''' *Starts counting on his fingers, Sora and Donald watch*\\
'''Phil:''' Eat. Bathe. Sleep.\\
'''Sora/Donald/Goofy:''' *Start laughing*
** ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep'' has Ventus do the same thing Goofy did.
-->'''Phil:''' Two Words: Student. Teacher. Ratio.\\
'''Ven:''' *Counting on his fingers* One. Two. Huh?
** ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHearts358DaysOver2 358/2 Days]]'' has him make at least one of these almost every mission he appears in. Also lampshaded when Roxas [[spoiler: gets memory flashes of Sora during the first game]] every time Phil does it.
* Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis) uses them often in ''Film/{{Armageddon}}''. One in particular ("AJ, I got just five words for you: Damn glad to see you boy!") had WebVideo/TheNostalgiaChick baffled and starting to count.
* The miscounted words variant is used in ''Film/DudeWheresMyCar'' after Jesse and Chester get thrown out of the twins' house:
-->"I got three words for you! Anger manage ment!"
* ''Film/SheDevil''. "Pay...off?"
* The movie ''Film/TankGirl'', after the villain screams in her face:
-->''"I got two words for you...Brush your teeth!"''
* ''Film/StarWarsDownunder''. "Two words: one-pot...''(frowns)'' ...screamer."
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]
* In parts of Steven Brust's Literature/{{Dragaera}} series, someone who leads with "if I might say two words...", or any variation of that, inevitably launches into an extended exposition.
* Rosalie Murray, in ''Literature/AgnesGrey'', about Mr Weston (who is really a much nicer man than how she describes him): "I can give you his description in three words ... an insensate, ugly, stupid blockhead. That's four, but no matter ..." ([[TheDitz That's actually five words.]])
* From ''Discworld/MovingPictures'' by Creator/TerryPratchett: "In a word -- im-possible!" "That's two words," said Dibbler (as a reference to legendary Hollywood producer Samuel Goldwyn, {{malaproper}} and simile-mangler extraordinaire).
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* Joey in ''Series/{{Friends}}'' does this in "The One With The List": "I got two words for you. Threesome."
* ''TheWestWing''. lampshaded in the season six episode "In God We Trust" by a Vinick adviser when he recommends that the senator continue to repeat four words:
---> "Fully respect Reverend Butler's position"\\
"That's five words."
* On an episode of TV's ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000,'' Joel complains about something and Dr. Forrester responds with "Two words, Joel: Get Overit", even extending a finger for each "word".
* In ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'', JD once used it for a diss -- "Three words. Sucks to be, adding a fourth, you!"
* In the original Australian version of ''KathAndKim'', Kath is always subverting this trope as a running gag, beginning with "Now, I've got one word to say to you, Kimmy..." and proceeding to say two or three. The running gag climaxes with the following quote:
-->'''Kath:''' Now Kimmy look at me. I've got one word to say to you: Move out tout-de-suite, go back to Brett. Get real, you'll never get any better!
* In the Monkees episode, "Monkee vs. Machine"...
-->'''Mike''': Remember these three little words: Don't argue.\\
'''Peter''': That's two words.\\
'''Mike''': You're starting already.
* ''Series/HillStreetBlues'': one detective to another, explaining why the latter should stay away from a flirty high-school girl: "Three words, JD: Statu Tory Rape."
* In an episode of ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'' where George is trying to break his engagement to Susan, Kramer suggests, "Two words: pre-nup."
* In developing the rivalry between the musical cast and the young members of the King Lear cast in the third season of ''Slings & Arrows'': "Three words: Stink Bomb."
* On ''GarthMarenghisDarkplace'':
-->''I've got two words for you, Sanch. Tele... Kinesis.''
* Hank from ''CornerGas'':
--> '''Hank:''' Two words: Boycott.
* Played for laughs in Harry Enfield sketch 'The Yorkshireman'
--> "I've two words to say to that: shite!"\\
"What's the other one?"\\
"Shite!"
* ''Series/TheKingOfQueens''
--> Arthur: I've got two words; I'm staying right here!\\
Carrie: [[LampshadeHanging That's four words!]]\\
Arthur: Well, here's another four: screw you!\\
Carrie: Dad, that's two words.\\
Doug: Arthur, maybe you should stop saying how many words you're going to say in advance.\\
Arthur: Yeah, once you do that, you're pretty much trapped in a hole, eh?\\
Doug: I'll put my fist up your hole...
* In the first episode of ''Series/ForeverKnight'', Nick Knight has been unwillingly partnered with Don Schanke, who is telling Nick he's a better cop thanks to his gut instincts. Just then Nick goes roaring up an alley because his vampire super-hearing has picked up a woman being murdered. When Schanke asks how he knew, Nick says sarcastically, "Three words: In-tu-ition."
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Music]]
* Denis Leary's song "Asshole": "Two words... [[PrecisionFStrike Nuclear fuckin' weapons!"]]
* Played with in Music/WeirdAlYankovic's "This Song's Just Six Words Long". The song itself has a lot more words than that. The ''title'' is exactly six words; however, [[BeamMeUpScotty many people assume]] he's singing "This song is just six words long", which would make it this trope.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Newspaper Comics]]
* In ''BloomCounty'', the newly personality-reversed Steve Dallas attempts to convince his old, vapid girlfriend Quiche to look at things the way he now does.
--> '''Steve:''' Now I want you to say the first word that comes to mind when I say this: Celibacy.\\
'''Quiche:''' Don't let the door hit you on the way out.\\
'''Steve:''' That's ''ten'' words...
* [[http://garfield.com/comics/vault.html?yr=2005&addr=050422 The April 22, 2005]] strip of ''{{Garfield}}'':
-->'''Jon''': Ellen, how's about I zip over to your place and serenade you with my accordion? {silent beat} “Restraining order” is such an ugly word, Ellen.\\
'''Garfield''': That's two words, dummy.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
* Paul Heyman, in a shoot-promo, fired off an often quoted version during the first ever "ECW One Night Stand" pay-per-view event, addressing members of WWE's RAW and SmackDown! brands who had crashed the show - in particular, Adam "Edge" Copeland:
-->'''Heyman:''' * I* have two words for you...\\
''(Paul steps halfway through the ropes, then flaps his hands outward)''\\
'''Heyman: MATT FREAKING HARDY!'''
** Edge's response was [[SpitTake to spit out his beer]] and yell back, "That's three words, Paul!"
*** And then use Matt Hardy's signature hand motion to indicate that it is indeed 3 words.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Theatre]]
* Creator/GilbertAndSullivan's ''Theatre/ThePiratesOfPenzance'' has pirate Samuel say the line:
-->''"Permit me, I'll explain in two words: we propose to marry your daughters."''
:: This being G&S, the director often has fun with it. One production has it rendered as "We propose-to-marry-your-daughters" (with the pirate counting the words on his fingers, and being surprised when he reaches six) while another has three separate pirates deliver two words each. Others have a pirate deliver the first two, "We propose," and have the Major-General be confused or offended that he's being proposed to before the sentence continues.
* OlderThanSteam: ''Theatre/RomeoAndJuliet'' Act 2, Scene 2
-->'''JULIET''': Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed.\\
If that thy bent of love be honourable,\\
Thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow
* Christy from Creator/MartinMcDonagh's ''TheLieutenantOfInishmore'' is constantly doing this: "One word: [[RenegadeSplinterFaction splinter group!]]"
-->'''Christy:''' Does the word "splinter group" mean anything to ya?\\
'''Padraic:''' "Splinter group?" Splinter group's two words.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* In ''VideoGame/PokemonBlack2andWhite2'', call Hugh on the Xtransceiver before going to reversal mountain to ask where he is:
-->'''Hugh''': One word, Reversal Mountain. No wait, that's two words.
* In ''VideoGame/StarFox64'', if you fail to defeat all of the Star Wolf members in Fortuna (but shoot at least Wolf and Leon down), Pigma will use this to tease you as he retreats:
--> I got two words for ya: LO-SER!!!
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Webcomic]]
* In [[http://www.schlockmercenary.com/2001-01-31 this]] ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'' strip, Captain Tagon is telling the woman who is technically his boss, to move. "Why are you issuing orders to me, Tagon?" "Two words: Bomb on Board."
* ''Webcomic/TheDreadful'' has Liz planning to join a mostly non-human faith. She misunderstands most of the facts of this faith, emphasized when her answer to one question is simply "Two words: Polygamy."
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Original]]
* The internet reviewer Benzaie does this for amusement value, where he will sum up a game in two words, at least one of the words being four or five words all squished together; For example, he sums up the SegaGenesis adaptation of ''Bram Stoker's Dracula'' as "Two words: Franchise/{{Castlevania}}ripoff withagaymusic!" For additional comical effect, he can still mangle his description somehow even if it '''is''' just two words: "Two words: Abo Nus!"
* In the ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner'' short [[http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail110.html "for kids"]], Strong Bad reacts to seeing Homsar's TV show for preschoolers:
-->'''Strong Bad:''' I've got two words for the children that are raised on that crap: HELD BACK. REPEATING THE THIRD GRADE. LOW STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES. [[LampshadeHanging I GUESS THIS WAS MORE THAN TWO WORDS]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'' use this:
--> "I have two words for you: Mouthwash."
** Cosmo prefaces 99% of what he says with this, and most of the time, it's WAY more than 2 words.
*** This example was lampshaded by Timmy who said that it was only one word.
-->"Then I'll say it twice. Mouthwash! Mouthwash!"
** His brother does the same thing, and 100% of the time it's the wrong count.
* An episode of ''WesternAnimation/CowAndChicken'' features the miscounting version as a RunningGag.
* ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'' has Candace saying "I've got two words for you mum, Ge-la-tin!", followed by her mum looking confused.
** In response to [[ItMakesSenseInContext Phineas urging Perry to drop them into a boiling pit of doom]], Candace says: "Two Words: LA-VA!"
* ''RockyAndBullwinkle'':
-->"In a word: No Thank You!"\\
"That's three words."
** Another one:
-->"In a word: You said it!"\\
"That's three words!"\\
"I'm a heavy tipper."
* ''WesternAnimation/JohnnyBravo'': I've only got two words for you mister: no!
* In ''[[WesternAnimation/TotalDramaIsland Total Drama Action]],'' when the castmates have to vote off two of their competitors at once:
-->'''[[DumbBlonde Lindsay:]]''' (''In confessional'') Two words: [[MakeOutKids Bridgette and Geoff!]]
* ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'':
--> SpongeBob: What brought you here?
--> Patrick: Two words: Na-chos.
* In ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'', when Ron and Monique are forced to do a project together and Ron blows it off, Monique asks why she should do all the work. Ron, who knows Monique cares about her grades, holds up four fingers and ticks off a finger with each word: "Four words: Grade point average". And then he licks some cheese he notices on the one remaining finger.
* The miscounting variant was used a lot during the first season of ''Animaniacs.''
--> "Three words....Thigh Monster."
--> "In two words...Bubba is hot!"

* [[HorsemenOfTheApocalypse Pestilence]] in {{Squidbillies}}:
--> One word: Apocalyptic horseman, fool!

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987'':
--> "Well, to put it in a simple word: GET OUTTA HERE!"
* ''WesternAnimation/SheZow'':
--> '''Guy''': I have three simple words for you, Kelly: loophole.
--> '''Kelly''': That's one word.
--> '''Guy''': Word up!
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Real Life]]
* Legendary {{Malaproper}} and studio head Sam Goldwyn (the "G" in "MGM") is alleged to have responded "In two words: Im-Possible!" to a proposal he didn't like.
[[/folder]]

'''Using this as a PotHole in examples in lieu of actually explaining the example is on par with Administrivia/ZeroContextExample, and therefore discouraged''', unless the word itself is already [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin self-description]]. [[FanMyopia It may be obvious to you]], but it's [[PopCulturalOsmosisFailure not obvious to everyone]]. Two words: Really Obnoxious. Besides, 500 examples cannot be that obvious!

* Inverted in an episode of ''TheWestWing''; during a presidential debate Bartlet's opponent Robert Ritchie (a Bush parody) claims that Bartlet will try and excuse high federal costs with one big word: 'Unfunded Mandate'. In his rebuttal, Bartlet is quick to point out that that's actually ''two'' words, thus making Ritchie look more than a little ridiculous.
** There's also a less flippant example in the episode "Stirred," where Bartlet explains that the reason he wants to keep Hoynes as his vice-president is "four words," which he writes down: [[spoiler:"Because I could die."]]

* The first season of ''TheOffice'' some of Tim's papers are on Gareth's desk and he makes a ruckus about it while Tim is on a sales call.
--> '''Tim''': What are you doing?\\
'''Gareth''': One word, Two Syllables, Demarcation.

--> 'Well I'm sorry, but it gets.'
--> '''*beat*'''
--> 'My goat to hear her talk!'
* Kara [=DioGuardi=], the new judge on ''Series/AmericanIdol'', critiqued a contestant with "six words: one of the best performances of the night." Ryan Seacrest mocked her on the next episode by introducing her as "three words: Kara [=DioGuardi=]."
* Played with on ''BoyMeetsWorld'':
-->'''Shawn:''' Here's what I got for you - Two Words: Uncle Mike's\\
''<{{Beat}}>''\\
'''Shawn:''' I'm gonna need more words.
* ''Series/LostGirl'':
-->'''Bo:''' Two words: Lauren, kiss my ass. ...Lotta hyphens in that one.

* Music/KanyeWest's 'College Dropout' has a song called Two Words.

* Used as a CatchPhrase by DGenerationX from ''WWE''...

* A SteveMartin stand-up comedy routine from the 1970s. "You can be a millionaire and never pay taxes. Yes, you can have one million dollars and never pay taxes! How? First, get a million dollars. Now, you might ask, Steve, what do I do when the tax man comes by and says, 'You have never paid taxes'? Two words: 'I forgot.' How often do we get in trouble because we don't say 'I forgot'? Armed robbery? Just say, 'I forgot armed robbery was illegal.'" The bit predictably ends with, "Two words: 'Excuuuuse me!'"
* Creator/DenisLeary's early standup routine (as well as some MTV promotional spots) was full of this trope.

* In ''AFunnyThingHappenedOnTheWayToTheForum'', Pseudolus triggers the intermission just as he's been sentenced to death by begging to say a word ... just one word ... a very important word ...: INTERMISSION!

* Used by Hoxton in ''VideoGame/PAYDAY2'' when describing the [[PrisonRape dangers of Thursdays]] in Hazelton Prison.
--> '''Hoxton''': Two words: fucking Kinky Night.

* ''WhoseLineIsItAnyway'' had a game where each player would be assigned a number, and they had to act out a scene by speaking only lines consisting of that number of words. HilarityEnsues.
** Stephen Fry, 6 words: 'Well I'm sorry, but it gets.' beat 'My goat to hear her talk!'

* ''WesternAnimation/Shezow'':

* WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987:

* In ''ThisIsSpinalTap'', one of the band's reviews for ''Shark Sandwich'' is "Just two words: 'Shit sandwich.'" This is one of the few times where the cast actually laughs.

* AliGInDaHouse has two words: "Keep It Real!" Of course somebody else immediately points out that that's ''three'' words, and it's followed by a debate on whether "it" counts as a word because of how short it is.

* ''[[Film/AnalyzeThis Analyze That]]'' has a scene where Billy Crystal's character is talking with a pair of police detectives, one of whom is an attractive woman in a short skirt. After Crystal's wife, played by Lisa Kudrow, catches him staring at her legs (and inadvertantly commenting on them via a FreudianSlip), she excuses herself from the room, then glances at the female cop: "Two words of advice, from one professional woman to another: Pant. Suit."

* In ''MidnightRun'' Walsh is getting annoyed by Mardukas' nagging, leading to the following exchange.

* In parts of Steven Brust's {{Dragaera}} series, someone who leads with "if I might say two words...", or any variation of that, inevitably launches into an extended exposition.
* Rosalie Murray, in ''AgnesGrey'', about Mr Weston (who is really a much nicer man than how she describes him): "I can give you his description in three words ... an insensate, ugly, stupid blockhead. That's four, but no matter ..." ([[TheDitz That's actually five words.]])

* ''JohnnyBravo'': I've only got two words for you mister: no!
* In ''[[TotalDramaIsland Total Drama Action]],'' when the castmates have to vote off two of their competitors at once:

* ''SpongeBobSquarePants'':

* In ''KimPossible'', when Ron and Monique are forced to do a project together and Ron blows it off, Monique asks why she should do all the work. Ron, who knows Monique cares about her grades, holds up four fingers and ticks off a finger with each word: "Four words: Grade point average". And then he licks some cheese he notices on the one remaining finger.

* ''HillStreetBlues'': one detective to another, explaining why the latter should stay away from a flirty high-school girl: "Three words, JD: Statu Tory Rape."
* In an episode of ''{{Seinfeld}}'' where George is trying to break his engagement to Susan, Kramer suggests, "Two words: pre-nup."

* To quote Jubilee from ''GenerationX''...

* In ''DestroyAllHumans 2'', Crypto tries to convince British hippies that Arkvoodle has the best collection of music in the galaxy. When they ask what Arkvoodle listens to, Crypto says "Three words. And one of them's a disease. Blind Willie Syphilis."

* In the first episode of ''Series/ForeverKnight'', Nick Knight has been unwillingly partnered with Don Schanke, who is telling Nick he's a better cop thanks to his gut instincts. Just then Nick goes roaring up an alley because his vampire super-hearing has picked up a woman being murdered. When Schanke asks how he knew, Nick says sarcastically, "Three words: In-tu-ition."

* Used by Hoxton in ''VideoGame/{{PAYDAY2}}'' when describing the [[PrisonRape dangers of Thursdays]] in Hazelton Prison.

* Used by Hoxton in ''VideoGame/{{PAYDAY2}}'' when describing the [[PrisonRape dangers of Thursdays]] in Hazelton Prison.
--> '''Hoxton''': Two words: fucking Kinky Night.

* ''{{Supernatural}}''. The jailbait gag is also used when Dean insists on being the one to interview a [[AllGuysWantCheerleaders high-school cheerleader]].

** Ordered by Buffy to explain what he's doing in five words, Spike retorts "Out. For. A. Walk." Realizing he still has one left, he adds, "''[[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch Bitch]]''."

--_ "In two words...Bubba is hot!"

* The miscounting variant was used a lot during the first season of ''[[Animaniacs Animaniacs]].''
** "Three words....Thigh Monster."
** "In two words...Bubba is hot!"

[[folder:Theater]]

* ''TheLieutenantOfInishmore'': "One word: [[RenegadeSplinterFaction splinter group!]]"

[[folder:Theater]]

* Christy from Creator/MartinMcDonagh's ''TheLieutenantOfInishmore'' is constantly doing this.

* In ''WebVideo/TenLittleRoosters'', Ryan has to play Charades with Miles to get him to put on the headset in the soundbooth.
-->'''Miles:''' ''[Ryan holds up two fingers]'' Two words. ''[Ryan does gesture for sound]'' Sounds like... ''[Ryan [[FlippingTheBird flips off Miles]]]'' Go fuck yourse-- Oh, you want me to put on the headset.