History Main / FellOffTheBackOfATruck

All of the above notwithstanding, sometimes the person claiming this is telling the truth, and whatever they acquired really ''did'' fall off the back of a truck.

* Used in ''Series/TheSopranos'' when Tony gives his neighbor a box of expensive cigars.

* ''Film/BlackScorpion'': Darcy's [[CoolCar corvette]] gets turned into the Black Scorpionmobile thanks to Argyle fitting it with all sorts of outlandish technology that he just happened to come by and has knowledge of how they function.

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* This is the explanation Switch gives for the origin of the video camera he gives to Bob in ''ComicStrip/KnightsOfTheDinnerTable''. Bob actually believes it and comments that it is in excellent condition considering. That is, it's only got one scratch which funnily enough only damaged the serial number beyond legibility.

* In the first part of the ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'' arc "Shed", Spidey laments that his and ComicBook/BlackCat's thwarting of some smugglers went awry before he could quip that two defeated foes "must have fallen off the back of a truck", "[[DontExplainTheJoke because that's what these mob types say about the junk they steal from trucks]]."
-->'''Spider-Man:''' Looks like these two fell off the back of a truck...\\
'''Black Cat:''' What?\\
'''Spider-Man:''' Nothing.

* In ''Film/SmallSoldiers'', Alan uses this trope on Joe, the Globotech delivery man, when begging him to let his dad's store have a set of Commando Elite action figures as well as a set of Gorgonite action figures (neither of which had been officially released yet, which could have lead to a lot of trouble for Joe if word got out about the new toys being there).

'''Alan:''' S-sorry.\\

* ''Film/RedDawn1984'': A literal example, several boxes of food fall off the back of a [[RedsWithRockets Soviet]] supply truck as a convoy stops for a moment before driving off. Also a subversion: [[spoiler:It's a trap. As soon as they take the bait, they're ambushed by Spetsnatz troopers and attack helicopters.]]
* ''Film/MarriedToTheMob'' references this. The main character is sick of her husband's organized crime connections, and says angrily, "Everything we own fell off the back of a truck!"
* In ''Film/TheFirstWivesClub'', Brenda's Sicilian uncle reveals that when her ex-husband opened his first store, the merchandise fell off the back of one of their trucks.
* In ''Film/BedknobsAndBroomsticks'' during the Portobello Road sequence, the main characters are offered something that "fell off the back of a lorry."

-->'''Uncle Joe''': You'd be surprised what kind of things can be found 'round here that "fell off the back of a truck". [''hands her paper and a pencil for her to make a list'']

* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'', Mundungus Fletcher claims that a bunch of cauldrons he has "fell off the back of a [[FlyingBroomstick broom]]". (This is, of course, the series that ''[[TropeNamer named]]'' HoldYourHippogriffs.)
* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'': While [[HonestJohnsDealership Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler]] is best known for selling [[MasochistsMeal nearly-inedible foods]], he has been known to deal in "absolutely anything that could be sold hurriedly from an open suitcase in a busy street and was guaranteed to have fallen off the back of an [[HoldYourHippogriffs oxcart]]".
* ''Literature/TheBorribleTrilogy'': Mentions of things falling off the backs of lorries are followed by comments about how bumpy the roads are in London, or what a useful thing gravity is. Pretty much all the characters are professional thieves of one sort or other and are using the phrase with heavy irony.

* In ''Literature/WhiteOleander'', Rina's boyfriend Sergei offers Astrid a necklace that he found "lying in the street." She isn't fooled. [[spoiler:But she has sex with him anyway.]]

* In the ''Literature/RiversOfLondon'' book ''Whispers Under Ground'', Peter describes the illegal markets that float around London: "When things fall off the back of a lorry, a nazareth is where they end up." A goblin market is "a nazareth for things that were [[BazaarOfTheBizarre a bit too odd to be travelling by lorry in the first place]]".

* In ''Series/TheDrewCareyShow'', Lewis sells Mimi some experimental make-up from [=DrugCo=] saying, "Let's just say it fell off the back of a truck." When Mimi asks where he got it, he says "Like I said, it fell off the back of a truck!" implying that it ''really'' fell off the back of a truck.

%%* Likewise ''Series/{{Minder}}'', with or without the connivance of [[ConMan Arthur Daly]].

* In ''Series/DadsArmy'', it's anything that Walker supplies. Although he rightly points out that "these things don't just fall off the back of a truck of their own accord, they've got to be pushed" when pointing out that his job is actually difficult.
* In ''Series/EverybodyHatesChris'', Chris is able to sell truckloads of cookies by falsely saying they "fell off the truck this morning".
* ''Series/FamilyMatters'': One episode has Eddie buy a stereo for his car from someone Weasel knows for an absurdly low price. Steve is immediately suspicious and notices that the stereo's serial number has been scratched off, which he then reports to Carl. Eddie is initially upset at Steve over this, but when his car disappears (because the police impounded it in order to remove the stolen stereo), he realizes that the person who'd had the stereo stolen in the first place must have been just as worried and upset as he was.
* On an episode of ''Series/WhiteCollar,'' a career criminal caught with a briefcase full of gold coins claims they "fell off a truck." Subverted to some extent because he clearly is being sarcastic and his next line is, "I want to talk to my lawyer."
* ''Series/BabylonFive'': In the first episode, Commander Sinclair is handed a copy of every file Ambassador Delenn has concerning the Vorlons. While handing over the data card, Delenn smirks and says "Here is a copy of everything I have. It may be of use. If anyone asks, say 'it fell from the sky.'"
* ''Film/BlackScorpion'': Darcy's [[CoolCar corvette]] gets turned into the Black Scorpionmobile thanks to Argyle fitting it with all sorts of outlandish technology that he just happened to come by and had knowledge of how they function.
* ''Series/MarriedWithChildren'': Bud and Kelly tried to give their parents a jukebox that literally fell off a truck.
* ''Series/TheYoungOnes'': A truck carrying everything the boys might possibly have a use for just happens to ''back itself through their front windows'', then be abandoned to their care by its driver. It's implied Mike had actually arranged for this to happen, making it this trope.
* ''Series/{{Becker}}''
** Linda states that her boyfriend (who throughout the series has been stated to do illegal things) found a big bag of money after it fell off the back of a truck. Linda, not believing him, leaves convinced he stole it. It later turns out it did fall out of an armored truck, and after returning it he got a thanks from the city.
** Bob was able to get Becker a brand new computer for a very low price, claiming it fell off the back of a truck. Becker, feeling guilty for believing he received stolen property, tries to give it back to Bob. Bob then reveals he actually bought it at full price and made up that story as he wanted to appear as a tough guy.
* On an episode of ''Series/ItsAlwaysSunnyInPhiladelphia'', Charlie and Dee find a set of speakers that literally fell off the back of a truck. Unknown to them, hidden inside the speakers was a package of cocaine belonging to some local mobsters.
* ''Series/ModernFamily'' references this trope when Cameron objects to Mitchell lying their way out of a burdensome social engagement, but later begs him to take care of it. Mitchell's response is "You're like a mob wife. You complain about what I do, but have no problem wearing the fur that fell off the back of the truck!"
* Used on an episode of ''Series/NaturallySadie''. There's a tie that makes the holder incredibly lucky. Margaret is holding it when a delivery truck passes by- and a box of cute shoes in her size falls off right at her feet. Though no one asks her where she got them so she never has to drop the trope name.
* Early episodes of ''Series/GoodTimes'' depicted JJ with a propensity for bringing home money or objects he "found."
-->'''JJ:''' [[InsistentTerminology I don't steal anything. I just fiiiiind it.]]
* ''Series/InLivingColor'' spoofed the trope with "The Homeboy Shopping Network" with the pair of "hosts" gleefully selling merchandise ''from'' the truck instead of waiting for it to fall off.
* ''Series/{{Motive}}'': In "The Score", the VictimOfTheWeek steals a truck full of stolen merchandise from an underworld middleman. Trying to sell the stolen goods, his contact asks where the merchandise came from. The victim replies with a knowing "It fell off the back off a truck".
* ''Series/TheWire'': apparently a common practise on the Baltimore docks, although Frank berates Nicky and Ziggy for stealing a whole container of cameras, when the old guard just take a couple... maybe four... boxes of Vodka from a container that was already broken into.

* The Bucko and Champs song ''Here Comes Christmas Bob'' contains the line in the chorus:

* The UK band Denim recorded a song called "It Fell Off the Back of a Lorry".
* Music/TheCoup "I Love Boosters"

* Creator/{{Capcom}}'s unreleased ''Pinball/{{Kingpin}}'' has "Deliver the Goods," which features large crates falling off the back of a flatbed truck.

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[[folder:Puppet Shows]]
* In ''Film/TheGreatMuppetCaper'', a literal example occurs when Miss Piggy is trying to reach the Mallory Gallery to help Kermit and the others. The truck she's driving breaks down, and in despair, she wonders what she'll do...[[DeusExMachina and then a truck advertising motorcycle tricks drives by, and the motorcycle in question (as well as the spangly outfit that goes with it) literally falls out of the back of the truck and lands right next to her.]] She even lampshades it by remarking "What an unbelievable coincidence!"
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* In ''Radio/TheSpaceGypsyAdventures'' many of Gemma and Damien's suppliers claim "it fell off the back of a transport", followed by an explanation of the phrase for the audience.

* Not surprisingly, [[HonestJohn Crazy Redd]] in ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' claims to deal in "everything that fell off the back of a truck."

* This is apparently common enough in the world of ''VideoGame/Cyberpunk2077'' that "smuggling" contraband into Night City actually has it's own ''manifest document'', listing the contraband into question as to be "Lost On Arrival", or LOA, when it crosses the border into the city. Of course, if you want the border guards to keep from looking ''too'' closely at the contraband (and possibly alerting a MegaCorp to their stolen property), smugglers will commonly ensure said guards' palms are well-greased with a significant bribe--but even this doesn't always stop said guard from alerting the Corp anyways, especially if the Corp is offering a bigger payout than the smuggler's bribe may be. The describe situation occurs to [[PlayerCharacter V]] in the "Nomad" lifepath, and a secondary character in the first act is a Corpo who is attempting to locate a mole who listed an ''entire convoy'' as LOA, resulting in it getting purloined by a local gang.

* In ''VideoGame/Fallout3'' the DLC ''Operation: Anchorage'' includes this trope when successfully talking your way into a gauss rifle. The armorer actually says "if anyone asks, it fell off a truck."
* ''VideoGame/LoveOfMagic'': Referenced; "Fell off the Back of a Lorry" is the name of the achievement for selling gems back to the quartermaster.

* ''VideoGame/TheNamelessMod'': Winquman, the [=PDX=] quartermaster, is told by his supplier that the PHAT Rifle he got fell off the back of a truck. The World Corp storyline reveals it DID come off the back of a truck -- it was stolen from it.

* In ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' one Ethreal smuggler will sometimes try to sell passing players an item that he says fell off the back of a pack mule.
** The Grimestreet Smuggler card in ''VideoGame/{{Hearthstone}}'''s line when summoned is "What? They fell off a truck."

* In ''Webcomic/SecondEmpire'', a webcomic starring the [[Series/DoctorWho Daleks]] in one of their interminable internal wars, one of the characters notes the head scientist got excellent prices for some stuff that happened to "fall off the back of a cargo ship".
* That's how Lothar in ''Webcomic/ExterminatusNow'' acquired a VTOL battle aircraft of the Inquisition's model, at least [[http://exterminatusnow.co.uk/2011-05-02/comic/the-cesspool/maintaining-a-reputation/ according to himself]].
* The Robots in ''Webcomic/{{Freefall}}'' do this in order to prevent food wastage by letting Sam steal food that they would otherwise be [[http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff3100/fc03097.htm required to throw out]]. Then, since he isn't available to steal from them every day, they ask him to [[http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff3100/fc03099.htm train a robot]] to steal the excess produce from them.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** This trope is [[ParodiedTrope zanily parodied]], as is usual in the show. When Homer is asked how he acquired a ''truck'', he answers, "It fell off a truck-truck." It is immediately used again in the same scene, where Bart drives a ''truck-truck'' and is asked where he got it. He answers, "It fell off a truck-truck... -truck." Maggie then drives onto the scene with a truck-truck-truck.
** An earlier episode inverted this by having several things fall ''onto'' the back of a truck. When Homer is driving on the freeway and immediately slams on his brakes, the transport truck driving behind him is forced to stop. All of the drivers behind the transport truck can't stop in time and their cars all end up piling onto the truck. The driver declares "finders keepers" and drives off with all the cars.
** Another early episode had a slight variation when Hans Moleman crashes a cargo truck filled with sugar and Homer took it all. In this case, the sugar fell ''out'' of the truck. Not only that, but under Springfield law Homer acquired the sugar ''legally''-Springfield's town charter states that any foodstuffs that touch the ground belong to the village idiot...and who do you think fulfills that role?

* In a ''WesternAnimation/DrawnTogether''-episode, a "crashed meat zeppelin" is the explanation for where Spanky [[spoiler:and later Clara]] get meat [[spoiler: which is actually the meat of Clara's animal friends. But then she get suspicious when an actual meat zeppelin flies by, unharmed]].
* ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddparents'': Timmy cannot tell anyone about Cosmo and Wanda, but he gets all this great stuff from them. So when people (like his parents or friends) ask him where he got XYZ, he responds, "[[WildCardExcuse Uh...Internet?]]" This is usually sufficient (only because Timmy's parents and friends are rather dim-witted). Except at one point, when his father asks: "And where did you get the internet?" Later, trying to restore his parents' faith in him, Timmy hooks himself up to a lie detector to prove he didn't steal the stuff he got from "Internet". It backfired when Timmy's Dad asked where Timmy got the lie detector.
* ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'': At the start of "French Rarebit," Bugs Bunny (inside a crate of carrots) literally falls off the back of a truck onto the streets of Paris.
* ''WesternAnimation/RugratsInParis'': Angelica's explanation for where she got Dill's new pacifier. She actually pulled it out of another baby's mouth.

* In ''WesternAnimation/RocketPower'', this is the plot in "Losers Weepers". The kids end up with a motorized skateboard that fell off a truck (from a rather aggressive lady driver) but decide to hide it from others...until each one of them tries it out in secret behind the others because the temptation to use it is unbearable (though they convince Sam to use it since he hadn't tried it yet).
* ''WesternAnimation/TheAmazingWorldOfGumball'' provides a literal example in the episode "The Shippening", where Sarah acquires a magic notebook that falls out of a van as it speeds past her house during a police chase. When Gumball and Darwin confront her about the notebook later, she tells them it fell off the back of a truck word for word, then clarifies she [[NotHyperbole doesn't mean it as a euphemism]].

* ''Website/OverheardInNewYork'', [[http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/archives/023706.html here]], with a dash of literal-mindedness.

* This is apparently common enough in the world of ''VideoGame/Cyberpunk2077'' that "smuggling" contraband into Night City actually has it's own ''manifest document'', listing the contraband into question as to be "Lost On Arrival", or L.O.A., when it crosses the border into the city. Of course, if you want the border guards to keep from looking ''too'' closely at the contraband (and possibly alerting a MegaCorp to their stolen property), smugglers will commonly ensure said guards' palms are well-greased with a significant bribe--but even this doesn't always stop said guard from alerting the Corp anyways, especially if the Corp is offering a bigger payout than the smuggler's bribe may be.

* ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'': At the start of "French Rarebit," Bugs Bunny (inside a crate of carrots) literally falls off the back of a truck onto the streets of L
Paris.

* In ''WesternAnimation/DangerMouse on the Orient Express'', Greenback has possession of a document giving him carte blanche to build whatever he wants in Europe ( the ep starts with a motorway being built on the Grand Canal of Venice). When DM asks Greenback where he got the document, he responds "It fell of the back of a safe in the Medici museum!"

* In ''WesternAnimation/DangerMouse on the Orient Express'', Greenback has possession of a document giving him carte blanche to build whatever he wants in Europe ( the ep starts with a motorway being built on the Grand Canal of Venice). When DM asks Greenback where he got the document, he responds "It fell of the back of safe in the Medici museum!"

* In a ''WesternAnimation/DrawnTogether''-episode, a "crashed meat zeppelin" is the explanation for where Spanky [[spoiler:and later Clara]] get meat [[spoiler: which is actually the meat of Clara's animal friends]].