At some point in one's life, they will come across many different people with views, thoughts, and beliefs than their own, especially if they live in a
universe where there are
aliens, monsters, fairies,
demons,
vampires, or what have you co-existing with humans; in fact, it doesn't even have to be beings from a different species in order for you come across someone different, considering that each and every human is unique.
As a result, that person will come across someone he/she loathes with absolute intensity (i.e.
The Rival,
Alpha Bitch,
Big Bad,
Anti-Hero, etc.) or someone he/she loves/admires so much that they'd sacrifice anything just to please them (i.e.
Big Brother Mentor,
Love Interest, etc.). But how do they go about describing this person they hate/like? Not any old compliment/insult will do.
Therefore, the person must describe them as the
epitome of the trait that they loathe/admire. Thus, they say "Bob, you put the X in XY". X is the adjective used to describe said trait and XY is the noun of X. For example, one could say, "You put the stupid in stupidity".
There's also the related "you can't have XY without X" phrase, for example, "You can't have consensual without sensual."
Examples:
Anime and Manga
- In the dub of Sgt. Frog, Natsumi complains, "Those frogs put the 'noise' in 'annoys.'"
Film
- Muppet Treasure Island: the motto of Rizzo's cruise company is "we put the 'rat' in 'pirate'."
- Used in Not Another Teen Movie.
- Bring It On
Carver: She puts the "ass" in "massive".
Darcy: You put the "lewd" in "deluded".
Whitney: She puts the "itch" in "bitch".
Courtney: She puts the "whore" in "horrible".
- Cry Baby
Ramona Rickettes: You put the T in tough!
- The Wizard of Oz: The Cowardly Lion sings about courage putting "the 'ape' in 'apricot'".
Live-Action TV
Music
- Who put the bomp in the bomp-shoo-bomp-shoo-bomp? Who put the ram in the ram-a-dam-a-ding-dong?
Radio
- In the Big Finish Doctor Who adventure "The Skull of Sobek", the Doctor's companion starts experiencing strange visions. When he finds out, he remarks "You put the Lucie in hallucination."
Theater
Video Games
Web Comics
- Variation in Schlock Mercenary.
Schlock: ...puts the 'hot' back into 'shut up'.
Kevyn: 'Shut up' doesn't
have a 'hot'.
Schlock: But 'shot up' does.
Elf: I like the way you spell, Sergeant.
- This
strip from The System.
- Scary Go Round: "You can't say 'nautical' without saying 'naughty.' I tried; it's not even a word."
Web Original
Western Animation
- Hercules "put the glad in gladiator".
- In the Batman The Animated Series episode "The Man Who Killed Batman", Harley Quinn says to the Joker, "You put The Fun in Funeral."
- In the episode of The Simpsons where Ned Flanders becomes principal of Springfield Elementary:
Flanders: Well, tippety-top of the A.M. to every-good-body here. As chairman of the PTA, I am de-diddley-lighted to take over here and I think I can put the "pal" back in "principal".
[The students laugh.]
Chalmers: Heh heh, yeah. And I'll put the "super" back in "superintendent".
[Silence. One person coughs.]
- And seconds later:
Jimbo: I was wondering, do you, er, what's your policy on, uh, lunch?
Ned: Well, let me just say I want to put the "stew" back in "students".
[The students laugh again.]
- In one episode of Jimmy Neutron, Sheen told Timmy "You know how to put the 'mental' in 'experimental'."
- From an episode of The Critic: "We put the 'harm' in 'pharmaceuticals'."
- Vicky from The Fairly Odd Parents is called "Icky with a V" by Timmy behind her back. It even led to a Chip Skylark song called "Icky Vicky."
Miscellaneous
