Line #4 Catchphrase/Literature


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7	Books have {{catch phrase}}s too, and you can get that in writing.
8
9	!Examples
10	* ''Literature/FourKidsInFiveEAndOneCrazyYear''
11	** Easily flustered Italian immigrant Giovanni often begins a sentence by saying "''Scuzi''".
12	** Willie repeatedly says, "Everything's cook and curry" (an expression he learned from his Jamaican grandmother) when in a positive mood. This is one of the first things that attracts Destiny to him.
13	* ''Literature/AdrianMole'': "Just my luck."
14	* ''Literature/AmeliaPeabody'':
15	** Amelia herself has several. She has a love for aphorisms, but ''these'' are all her:
16	*** "We must have a Council of War!" near the climax of most cases.
17	*** She frequenty makes or consults "one of my little lists" of clues.
18	*** "Another shirt Ruined!" --Both Emerson and Ramses tend to be rather hard on their clothes, if for somewhat different reasons. There used to be a fansite for the series that used this as it's name.
19	*** She often has "the direst of forebodings". The family eventually pick this one up, at least when they are expressing their misgivings ''to Amelia''.
20	*** "I had, of course, considered that / thought of that / anticipated that"[[labelnote:However,]] while one does not like to doubt the word of a lady, her use of these phrases often feels like an attempt to save face or that shes {{retcon}}ing events [[UnreliableNarrator in her head]].[[/labelnote]]
21	*** "I suspected him from the start!" --Ramses once remarked that this is meaningless because she always suspects ''everyone.''
22	** Abdullah in later books often laments: "Every year, another dead body." He's got a point.
23	** Emerson eventually settles into a frustrated "Another cursed pair of young lovers" whenever he detects signs that Amelia's ShipperOnDeck tendencies are going to distract from the ''Important'' archaeological work they have in front of them.
24	* ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'':
25	** Everyone, in narration: "My name is [name.]"
26	** Rachel: "Let's do it."
27	** Marco: "This is insane."/"Are you insane?!"
28	*** In one instance, Rachel and Marco switched catchphrases, after Rachel goes over their plan:
29	----> '''Marco:''' "That's it exactly."
30	----> '''Rachel:''' "Yeah, this is insane."
31	----> '''Marco:''' "I know, right? Let's do it!"
32	** "That was exciting/fun/really cool." "Let's never, ever do it again."
33	** Ax: "[[TwoOfYourEarthMinutes We have x of your minutes left]]."
34	*** Marco: "They're everyone's minutes!"
35	** The RunningGag:
36	--->'''Ax''': "Yes, Prince Jake."\
37	'''Jake''': "Don't call me prince."\
38	'''Ax''': "Yes, Prince Jake."
39	* In ''Literature/TheBalancedSword'', the small but deceptively dangerous Poplock several times announces his presence and joins in a fight with a cry of "Fear me!"
40	* Creator/HermanMelville's "Bartleby, the Scrivener" practically never says anything other than "I would prefer not to."
41	* ''Literature/BazilBroketail'': Purple-Green "How do they taste?" — spoken usually when meeting an animal or creature which is unusual or previously unknown to him. Bored with monotonous military rations, he always seeks to add some variety to his menu.
42	* Garion's catchphrase in Creator/DavidEddings's ''Literature/TheBelgariad'', which the other characters quickly become tired of, is "[[IJustWantToBeNormal Why me?]]" Eventually answered as "Would you have trusted anyone else to do it?", but not before various other characters have taken it up briefly. In one scene Belgarath (who's the mentor, and usually the one being asked and not answering), says it, much to everyone's amusement.
43	** Silk's is "Trust Me" (which you actually shouldn't) and Errand receives his name because for a while "Errand" is the only word he can say.
44	* In ''Literature/TheBible'':
45	** Anytime an angel shows up, it's almost guaranteed that the phrase "Fear not" will appear.
46	** Jesus would often preface important statements with "I tell you the truth:..." (Alternately translated/phrased as "Verily I say unto you:..." or "Truly I tell you:...")
47	** Jesus also has "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
48	* [[Literature/CaptainUnderpants TRA-LA-LA!]]
49	** [[Literature/CaptainUnderpants Awww, man!]]
50	** HereWeGoAgain
51	* ''Literature/AChristmasCarol'': Averted; a case of BeamMeUpScotty and MemeticMutation has resulted in "bah, humbug!" becoming the Catchphrase of Ebenezer Scrooge. "Bah, humbug" is only spoken twice in the novel, though "humbug" comes up a few more times by itself. At that time, "humbug" meant "hoax" or "jest", so Scrooge was just dismissing Christmas as a fraud in the lingo of the day.
52	* In Creator/LloydAlexander's ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfPrydain'',
53	** Gurgi mentioned "munchings and crunchings" often enough for them to count as a catchphrase; also his 'Poor Tender Head'.
54	** Fflewdur Fflam used "Great Belin!" as his trademark UnusualEuphemism (Belin is an ancient Welsh sun god),
55	** Princess Eilonwy would often cry "Taran of Caer Dallben, I'm not speaking to you!" or some variation of the same. She also has a habit of talking in similes and metaphors. For example, "It's silly to worry because you can't do something you simply can't do. That's worse than trying to make yourself taller by standing on your head," or "I don't like being called 'a girl' and 'this girl' as if I didn't have a name at all. It's like having your head put in a sack."
56	* ''Literature/CiaphasCain'': "If I had known (X) was going to happen, I would have shot (Y) myself."
57	* ''Literature/TheDaySantaStoppedBelievingInHarold'': Merpin says, "Uh-huh" three times in this kids' picture book.
58	* [[Literature/DeathStar Lieutenant Villain Dance]] has a strong tendency to think or say, "Never happen!", as in "it will never", when he considers failing in his duty or being shot down.
59	* ''Literature/{{Dinotopia}}'': "Breath deep, seek peace" or the Skybax riders' variant. "Breath deep, fly high, seek peace" or simply "Fly high, seek peace".
60	* A handful of ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' characters have catchphrases:
61	** Rincewind: "[=OhshitohshitohshitI'mgoingtodie=]!"
62	*** Bonus points because this one was also uttered, on request, in "[[CanisLatinicus Wizard Language]]".
63	** Granny Weatherwax: "If you ain't got respect, you ain't got a thing," "I can't be havin' with this," "Blessings be upon this house", and of course written, rather than spoken: I ATEN'T DEAD.
64	** Death: [[AC: There's no justice. There's just me.]] Which in ''Mort'' became [[AC: There's no justice. There's just us.]]
65	** [[HonestJohnsDealership Dibbler's]] "That's cutting me own throat", along with the variants used by his [[InexplicablyIdenticalIndividuals counterparts]].
66	** Vimes inverts this by asking "What's the thing I'm always saying?".
67	** Captain Carrot: "As Mister Vimes Says... "
68	** Lord Vetinari: "Don't let me detain you..."
69	** {{Lampshaded}} with Moist von Lipwig:
70	--->"Trust me."\
71	"You use that phrase an awful lot, Mr. Lipwig."
72	** Foul Ole Ron's "Millenium Hand and Shrimp."
73	** Sergeant Jackrum has "Upon my oath, I am not [[MadLibsCatchPhrase an X]] man", where "X" is something he's currently being (violent, dishonest, etc.), and "[[AFatherToHisMen You are my little lads]], and I will look after you."
74	** ''Literature/AHatFullOfSky'''s Annagramma Hawkin always says the word "literally", but never literally. At the book's end, Tiffany Aching pleads her to [[YouKeepUsingThatWord learn what "literally" means]].
75	* There are a few in the web-novel ''Literature/{{Domina}}'', which cross over into HoldYourHippogriffs.
76	** Derek and Laura swear "silver and gold."
77	*** In chapter 29, Laura's father swears "silver moon and golden sun," which might be the source of the above phrase.
78	** Akane uses "Musashi's ___", such as "Musashi's sword" and "Musashi's gravestone." Almost certainly a reference to UsefulNotes/MiyamotoMusashi.
79	** Ling uses "[[Creator/OsamuTezuka Tezuka]]" in place of God, lending new meaning to CreatorWorship.
80	** Seena and Simon swear "nine hells."
81	** Kelly swears "blood and shadow."
82	** Butler and Necessarius in general have "[[IDidWhatIHadToDo Because it was necessary]]."
83	* ''Literature/{{Dragaera}}'': "Shut up, Loiosh."
84	* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' has Harry's "Hell's bells!" and "Stars and stones!"
85	** As well as Thomas Raith's "Empty night!"
86	*** Furthermore, ''Word of God'' has said that those three phrases will also be the titles of the Apocalyptic Trilogy that ends the series. In Butcher's own words, "there's a reason those are curses."
87	* In the ''Literature/ElementalMasters'' series, whenever anyone comments on the fact that Neville the raven and/or Grey the parrot can talk, their response is always, "I can talk. Can you fly?"
88	* Anastasia from ''Literature/FiftyShadesOfGrey'' has "Oh, my".
89	* In ''Literature/TheFirstLaw'' there's "Say one thing for Logen Ninefingers, say he's X" and Glokta asking himself "Why do I do this?"
90	* In ''Literature/ForbiddenBook'' Arashi has say your prayers!
91	* In Creator/DanAbnett's ''Literature/GauntsGhosts'' novels, Beltayn, Gaunt's adjunctant and vox officer, says "Something's awry" to report any kind of problem. Up to and including imminent disaster that could kill them all -- a fact LampShaded in the books.
92	** Abnett also uses this with Aemos in ''Literature/{{Eisenhorn}}'' whose favourite phrase is 'Most perturbatory'. It's even his last words.
93	* ''Literature/TheGingerbreadMan'': The Gingerbread Man taunts everyone with a specific line that is usually something like "Run, run, run as fast as you can. You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!".
94	* Scarlett O'Hara of ''Film/GoneWithTheWind'' fame has "Fiddle-dee-dee!", "Great balls of fire!" and (in the book) "God's nightgown!"
95	* ''Literature/TheGruffalo'':
96	** The mouse says, "Doesn't he know? There's no such thing as a Gruffalo!"
97	** The Gruffalo's Child says, "I'm not scared".
98	* The ''Literature/HarryPotter'' series has Hermione's catchphrase "I read about it in ''Hogwarts: A History''."
99	** Harry's trademarked "Expelliarmus!" could also count (but also doubles as a SignatureMove). That and "EXPECTO PATRONUM!!"
100	** Mad-Eye Moody: "Constant Vigilance!" [[spoiler: Also a case where the majority of the time it's said, it's not actually Moody, but an imposter who shouts it every five minutes. Moody himself is ''slightly'' more restrained.]]
101	** Slughorn: "Merlin's beard!" Especially in the movie.
102	** "Bloody hell!" is Ron's catchphrase in the films, but is a BeamMeUpScotty as far as the books go.
103	*** Ditto for "NYEEAAAHHHHH!!!" as Voldemort's CatchPhrase.
104	** Also in the films is Hagrid saying "I shouldn't-a said that."
105	* Literature/HonorHarrington has the phrase 'Let's be about it', which she adopted from her first Captain, and which several of her subordinates have begun using.
106	* In ''Literature/HorusHeresy'', Numeon has taken to using "Vulkan Lives!" as part declaration of defiance, part prayer and part war cry after Istvaan V's butchery has his gene-sire disappear.
107	* In the third book of ''Literature/TheHungerGames'', Peeta often asks "Real or not real?" thanks to the [[spoiler:MindRape he suffers at the hands of the Capitol]]. Haymitch also calls Katniss "sweetheart", mostly to annoy her.
108	* ''[[Creator/HarryTurtledove Into the Darkness]]'': King Swemmel of Unkerlant is inordinately fond of 'efficiency' in all things.
109	* The ''Literature/JeevesAndWooster'' stories have plenty:
110	** Bertie is practically a catch phrase arsenal. "This is a bit thick!" "Rally round!" "Right-o!" "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party", etc.
111	** [[TheJeeves Jeeves]] has "Very good, sir" and "I endeavor to be of assistance."
112	** Bingo Little: "We were at school together!" (As a way to get Bertie to [[ExtremeDoormat cave in and help him yet again]]. It always works.)
113	* ''Literature/{{Kim}}'': Father Victor often shouts "Powers o’ Darkness!" in amazement.
114	* Parodied with Hellfire from ''Literature/KindaSuperGay'', who likes to say, “I always find a way.” It’s cool until he starts using it in everyday situations, such as when he feels the need to finish a cup of bad coffee.
115	* Gollum's "My prrrecious..." from ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings''.
116	* Karsa Orlong from the ''Literature/MalazanBookOfTheFallen'' is fond of telling anyone watching him to "Witness!" -- usually followed by something very badass or just plain [[RefugeInAudacity insane]].
117	* In the ''Literature/{{Mash}}'' novels, Hawkeye has "Finest kind!" as a Catchphrase. This made it to the movie, and appeared in some of the earliest episodes of the TV series, but was eventually forgotten or abandoned. Hawkeye and Duke together share the Catchphrase "We're the Pros from Dover".
118	* In the ''Literature/MrLemoncello'' series of books, Mr. Lemoncello and his games have the catchphrase "Is it fun? Hello! It's a Lemoncello!"
119	* In Clint [=McCullough=]'s ''Literature/{{Nevada}}'', the main character, Meade Slaughter, when surprised by something, says "I'll be damned" so much that after it's his only response three times in a row, his daughter in law [[LampshadeHanging lampshades it]]: "Meade, if that's your only input, I might as well be talking to the wall."
120	* ''Literature/TheNeverendingStory'': Argax is fond of inserting "in a manner of speaking" into his dialogue.
121	* In the ''Literature/OddThomas'' series, the phrase "The dead don't talk. I don't know why." appears [[OncePerEpisode in every book]], usually just after Odd has revealed his [[ISeeDeadPeople "gift"]].
122	* A frequent comment of Mrs. Bird in Michael Bond's ''Literature/PaddingtonBear'' series was "Bears always land on their feet."
123	* ''Literature/TheReynardCycle'': "He/She/They had some skill," is Isengrim's. It usually refers to someone who he's just killed, and is meant as a genuine compliment.
124	** Tiecelin (and his pets): "Doom."
125	* Creator/RobertMunsch: Many characters have repeated lines of dialogue:
126	** Andrew in ''I Have to Go'' has "I have to go pee!".
127	** The teacher in ''We Share Everything'' has "This is kindergarten, and in kindergarten, we share. We share everything."
128	** Mortimer in ''Mortimer'' has "Bing bang, rattle bing bong, I'm gonna make my noise all day."
129	* Christopher Moore's ''Literature/SacreBleu'' features The Colorman, who excuses every manner of horrifying acts with the phrase "Accident. Couldn't be helped."
130	* Pseudonymous Bosch's ''Literature/SecretSeries'' (''The Name of This Book is Secret'' and sequels) has Max-Ernest. How 'bout that?
131	* ''Literature/SeventhSon'' has:
132	--> '''Kilroy 2.0''': "Kilroy 2.0 is here. Kilroy 2.0 is ''everywhere''."
133	* Literature/SherlockHolmes' BeamMeUpScotty is: "Elementary, my dear Watson", a line never found in the novel series. Then there's "The game's afoot!" which is actually a Shakespeare quote that Holmes utters ''once'' in the original stories. He does, however, have at least one genuine catchphrase: "You know my methods. Apply them!" This phrase or variations on it are used maybe six or seven times in the canon, but it hardly ever shows up in adaptations. There is also the occasional phrase closer to the "Elementary" example: "It is simplicity itself!"
134	* Creator/KurtVonnegut, as author/narrator of ''Literature/SlaughterhouseFive'', punctuates everything involving death with the phrase "So it goes."
135	* Matteo of ''Literature/SomeoneElsesWar'' has "Inshallah" and "God is good."
136	* ''Literature/SongAtDawn'': Emerganda is fond of the phrase 'Tort-nï¿½avetz', i.e. "You are wrong." This is acknowledged in-universe.
137	* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'':
138	-->'''Daenerys:''' It is true that I am only a young girl, and do not know the ways of war...
139	-->'''Ygritte:''' You know nothing, Jon Snow.
140	-->'''Ned Stark:''' Winter is coming.
141	-->'''Arya Stark:''' Fear cuts deeper than swords.
142	-->'''The Lannister:''' A Lannister always pays his/her debts.
143	-->'''Ser Boros Blount:''' [[RunningGag You speak to me thus?]] ''[[RunningGag You?]]''
144	-->'''Shagga, son of Dolf:''' I will chop off your manhood and feed it to the goats.
145	-->'''Hodor:''' Hodor.
146	-->'''Patchface:''' I know, I know, oh oh.
147	-->'''Reek:''' You have to know your ''name''.
148	-->'''The Dothraki in general, [[TheDividual Irri and Jhiqui]] in particular:''' It is known.
149	-->'''The Braavosi in general, Syrio Forel in particular:''' Just so.
150	-->'''Jaime Lannister''' (internal dialogue) She's been fucking Lancel, Osmund Kettleback and Moon Boy for all I know...
151	-->'''Asha Greyjoy:''' ''(hefts her axe)'' "This is my husband--" ''(draws her dagger)'' "--and this is my suckling babe!"
152	* ''Literature/SpiceAndWolf'': Holo has a catchphrase, but its exact wording depends on what language you're reading it in: "Tawake!" for Japanese and "I am Holo the Wisewolf" for English.
153	* ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'':
154	** Rock: "Airsick lowlanders."
155	** Pattern: "It is a pattern."
156	* ''Literature/TheseWordsAreTrueAndFaithful'':
157	** Ernie: "I will not be spoken to like that."
158	** Sam: "'Fraid so."
159	* ''Literature/TheThinkingMachine'': Professor Van Dusen is fond of saying "Two plus two equals four, not sometimes but always" (or minor variations thereof). It's his way of saying logic always applies, no matter what the situation.
160	* Rumo, a minor character in ''Literature/TheThirteenAndAHalfLivesOfCaptainBluebear'', at one point tells the eponymous character that he's not good with words when trying (and failing) to explain a situation. When he becomes the main character in the following book, ''Literature/RumoAndHisMiraculousAdventures'', "I'm not good with words" has become his catchphrase, said whenever he's asked to explain or elaborate on something.
161	* ''Literature/TheThreeMusketeers'':
162	-->"[[BandOfBrothers One for all, and all for one]] [[EverythingSoundsSexierInFrench (un pour tous, tous pour un)]]"
163	* The eponymous character in Creator/JohnBrunner's ''Literature/TheTravellerInBlack'': "I have many names, but a single nature"; "You may call me Mazda, or anything you please"; and "As you wish, so be it".
164	* In ''Literature/TreasureIsland'', Long John Silver had quite a few, including "You may lay to that!" ("You may depend on that"), "By the Powers"/"By the living thunder", and "Shiver my timbers!"
165	* ''Literature/UniversalMonsters'': Captain Bob's is "I'm off, said the madman". Nina thinks it's a cheesy exit line, but Captain Bob takes it seriously.
166	* ''Literature/VorkosiganSaga'':
167	** Emperor Gregor Vorbarra has "Let's see what happens," used after making unconventional decisions.
168	** Ivan Vorpatril often protests, "It's not my fault."
169	** Miles Vorkosigan's motto is "Forward momentum."
170	*** Also, "If I can do it, you can do it." The scary part is how often that ends up being true.
171	* ''Literature/WarriorCats'':
172	** "Mouse dung!" as an exclamation of frustration.
173	** Jayfeather often says to his patients, "You're fine when I say you are."
174	* From Robert Jordan's ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'':
175	** Mat: "It's time to roll the dice." Also, "Blood and bloody ashes!" and "I am not a bloody lord!" (This last leading to wonderful {{Irony}} when Mat finally [[spoiler: marries Tuon and becomes the Prince of Ravens.]]
176	** Perrin: "I'm just a blacksmith." (More {{Irony}},as of [[spoiler: Book 13, Perrin is officially recognized by the monarchy of Andor as the Lord of the Two Rivers.]]
177	** Moirain & Siuan (and to a lesser extent, all Aes Sedai): "The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills"
178	** Lan: [[TheStoic ...]]
179	** The Aiel get a few: "I have ''[[HonorBeforeReason toh]]''" and "[[TryNotToDie Sleep well and wake]]" are the most common, though the "to spit in Sightblinder's eye" speech and "Wash the Spears" come up on occasion.
180	*** Also, anything to do with 'water and shade' or 'shade of my heart'.
181	** Borderlanders: "Peace!"
182	** Woolhead... EVERYBODY.
183	* ''Literature/WingsOfFire'': Queen Scarlet thinks catchphrases are "thrilling"!
184	** Peril likes things that are "blazing".
185	* [[Literature/WinnieThePooh Winnie-the-Pooh]]:
186	** "Bother!"
187	** Christopher Robin: "Silly old Bear!"
188	** Various characters/the narrator, "A bear of very little brain".
189	* Characters in Creator/StephenKing novels often have catchphrases shared between each other as in-jokes or references to past experience. For example:
190	** ''Literature/{{Dreamcatcher}}:'' "SSDD", "No bounce no play".
191	** ''Literature/{{It}}:'' "Beep-beep, Richie."
192	** The short story "Riding the Bullet" had the slightly philosophical phrase "Fun is fun, and done is done."
193	** In ''Literature/TheStand'', Tom Culleen has "My laws!" and "M-O-O-N, that spells (any word)".
194	** In ''Franchise/TheDarkTower'' Roland's use of "Ka" to describe virtually any event beyond his control. Becomes a form of running gag between him & Eddie Dean in the later novels in the series.
195	--->'''Eddie:''' Ka?
196	--->'''Roland:''' Ka.
197	--->'''Eddie:''' Ka-ka.
198	* In ''Literature/Wonder2012'', Summer's is "cool beans".
199	* In ''Literature/PleaseDontTellMyParentsImASupervillain'', Penny likes to swear by Nicola Tesla. Another mad scientist, The Expert, does this as well.
200	* Gratuity Tucci, KidHero of ''Literature/TheTrueMeaningOfSmekday,'' frequently says "Pardon my language." [[spoiler:It apparently remains her catch phrase throughout her life, eventually becoming her last words.]]
201	* Tinker Bell from ''Literature/PeterPan'' has a tendency to say to Peter, "You silly ass!" She does it so often that even Wendy, who doesn't understand Tink's fairy language, is able to recognize it.
202	* Creator/CharlesDickens's novels tend to be full of catch phrases because they were originally published as serials, and with his penchant for large casts, catch phrases made a convenient way for readers to keep all the characters straight.
203	* ''Literature/TheCrimsonShadow'': Oliver, after any of his confident pronouncements falls flat, will come out with "I could be wrong".

Context Catchphrase / Literature