History Main / MistakenForProfound

-->'''[[HippieTeacher Mr. O'Neill]]:''' Now, why do you think it is that Tolstoy felt he had to make ''Literature/WarAndPeace'' so darned...unpleasant? Daria?
-->'''Daria:''' [[TorchTheFranchiseAndRun So no one would pester him to do a sequel]]?
-->'''Mr. O'Neill:''' ''(thoughtful)'' Hmm...

-->'''Capt. Tenille:''' Tell me, young man, what do you want out of life?\\

* Spoofed in ''Film/BillAndTedsBogusJourney'', the boys are able to pass off the lyrics from "[[{{Music/Poison}} Every Rose Has its Thorn]]" as the meaning of life, which earns them access to Heaven.
* In ''Film/BillAndTedsExcellentAdventure'', Bill and Ted decide to "recruit" Socrates by "philosophiz[ing] with him", quoting the lyrics to "[[{{Music/Kansas}} Dust in the Wind]]" in pantomime. Socrates is stunned, thinking that the boys agree with what he was saying before they showed up, and says "Of course! Like sands in the hourglass, so are the Series/DaysOfOurLives!" He ends up being so amused that B&T are free to gently lead him back to the time machine while he's laughing his head off.

* ''Series/ForAllMankind''. When NASAs' ''Sojourner-1'' manages to safely land on Mars after having rescued the crew of ''Mars-94'' that was launched by the Soviet Union, the cameras on the ship show both an Astronaut and a Cosmonaut walking off the ship side-by-side before they embrace one-another and collapse onto the Martian surface, serving as a sign of new positive relations between the United States and the Soviet Union since Danielle Pooles' famous handshake that had saved the world from armageddon: whom as it turned out was the commander of the ''Sojourner-1'' Mars Mission. In-reality, Danielle Poole and the Russian Commander were actually bickering with one-another over who should be the one to step onto Mars first, and the camera cut out before the two of them began to tussle.

* ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' makes this a minor RunningGag with [[TheComicallySerious Tenya Iida]], due to his extremely straightforward and honest personality. When he's first introduced he doesn't like [[TheHero Izuku Midoriya]], thinking that the latter isn't taking [[SuperheroSchool U.A.]]'s entrance exam seriously enough. However, Izuku manages to pass the field test by scoring "rescue points" for saving another student in danger, something the students weren't even told about. Iida jumps to the conclusion that Izuku caught onto the SecretTestOfCharacter and is far cleverer than he realized, apologizing for his earlier rudeness and eventually becoming one of Izuku's best friends. Later on, during the Summer Camp arc, when the teachers tell the students that they'll have to make their own meals, Iida assumes it's another form of training[[note]]since heroes have to be ready to comfort the victims of crimes and disasters, and having delicious food is one way of doing so[[/note]] and gets the other students fired up despite being exhausted from the day's physical exercise. The latter case is lampshaded by Aizawa-sensei thinking to himself "Sometimes Iida's pretty useful to have around."

* Brian from ''Film/MontyPythonsLifeOfBrian'', who gained devoted followers that saw anything he said or did as profound, even if they didn't agree on what he meant by them.

* Spoofed again in ''Film/BillAndTedsBogusJourney'', the boys are able to pass off the lyrics from "[[{{Music/Poison}} Every Rose Has its Thorn]]" as the meaning of life, which earns them access to Heaven.
* In ''Film/FearOfABlackHat'', Tone Def states, "Because when you take the bus, you get there." His fellow musicians think it's gibberish, but the producer is deeply impressed with this sage wisdom.

* In ''Film/{{Bean}}'', the foolish {{Manchild}} is mistaken for an art professor and forced to make an improvised speech about Whistler's Mother (he's just a security guard and not a particularly competent one at that - the museum board [[ReassignedToAntarctica were trying to get rid of him]]). The speech is [[BeigeProse very short and lacks any meaningful content]] but it goes down well with the assembled American guests anyway - presumably they assume the speech to be a stuffy British academic [[TakeThat making a dryly comical ribbing]] at their earlier request to avoid a boring lecture on art history.
-->'''Mr. Bean''': Hello. I'm Dr. Bean... [[PhonyDegree apparently]], and my job is to sit... and look at paintings. ''[applause]'' So, um, what have I learned that I can say about this painting? Well firstly, [[CaptainObvious it's quite big]]. Which is ''excellent''. Because it was very small, you know, ''microscopic'', then hardly anyone would be able to see it. Which would be a tremendous shame. ''[audience nods in approval]'' And secondly - and I'm getting quite near the end now of this analysis of this painting... w-why was it worth this man here ''[points to General Newton]'' spending fifty million of your American dollars on this portrait? And the answer is... erm, well, this picture is worth such a lot of money because... [[ShapedLikeItself it's a picture of Whistler's mother]]. And as I've learned by [[ThePowerOfFriendship staying with my best friend David Langley and his family]], [[ThePowerOfFamily families are very important]]. ''[David cracks a smile]'' And even though Mr. Whistler was perfectly aware that his mother was a [[ApronMatron hideous old bat who looked like she had a cactus lodged up her backside]] ''[the audience laughs]'' he stuck with her. And even took the time to paint this amazing picture of her. It's not just a painting; it's a picture of a mad old cow who he thought the world of. And that's ''marvellous''... ''[the audience nod together in agreement and approval]'' Well, that's what I think anyway! ''[the audience stand and applaud]''

* In ''Literature/TheWasteLands'', Jake Chambers writes his final essay while losing his mind due to a time paradox. The result is an incoherent mess combining bits of memories from a timeline that never happened with bits of prophecy. Fortunately, his teacher is of the, "[[TrueArtIsIncomprehensible If I don't understand it, it must be brilliant]]" mindset, gives Jake an "A", and says she wants to talk to him about publishing it.

* Creator/UrsulaKLeGuin's short story "The Silence of the Asonu", part of the ''Literature/ChangingPlanes'' sequence, describes the titular people who, though they have a language, hardly ever speak aloud as adults (and then only to small children). As a result, some people from other cultures have built up a cult around their rare utterances, and read a great deal of mystic significance into them, even though they're as banal as saying "Very good" to a child who has made something.

* ''El Diente Roto'' ("The Broken Tooth"), by Pedro Emilio Coll. After a particularly brutish and dull-witted boy gets one of his teeth [[TheToothHurts shattered]] by a stone thrown at him by some thug, he quickly becomes fixated on palping what's left of it with his tongue. [[OralFixation Constantly]]. The people around him, astonished by his sudden silent and calm behavior, are quick to assume that he's deep in thought, and from there [[SerialEscalation it just keeps on escalating]] from them thinking he's some kind of illuminated philosopher to eventually ''getting him voted into office''.

* In ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'', Dawn brings a robot replica of Buffy to a parent-teacher conference rather than reveal that Buffy (her sole legal provider) is dead. The Buffybot naturally makes boneheaded remarks but they are taken at face value.
-->'''Buffybot:''' School is where you learn!\\
'''Teacher:''' Exactly!
* In ''Series/BoyMeetsWorld'', Shawn ends up sitting in on a college philosophy class. When in response to the question, "Why are you here?" he responds "just visiting," everyone takes it as an expression of his belief on the transience of life. This leads Shawn to start thinking that he doesn't need to apply himself in his high school classes anymore, since he's apparently having such an easy time in a college environment. Subverted later on when Cory, who shows up to try and bring Shawn back, tells the professor that he's "just passing through" and gets mocked for seemingly thinking he can pass himself off as profound by spouting {{Ice Cream Koan}}s in class. Shawn is crushed at the end of the episode when his term paper is flunked by the professor, [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome who points out that his lack of knowledge of the basics (from high school) means that his grammatically twisted, illogical and contradictory paper cannot properly express his thoughts]].
* In the "Gettysburg" episode of ''[[Series/TheOfficeUS The Office]]'', Kevin complains about the placement of the cookies in the vending machine during a company brainstorming session. Robert California thinks it's a metaphor for a business plan, and winds up congratulating Kevin on his great idea. Everyone else is dumbfounded.

* In an episode of ''Series/BlackBooks'', Fran finds herself in an office job she has no idea how to do (or even what the company does). When she is asked to give a presentation, she bluffs her way through it by spouting faux-profound business-speak cliches. She manages to impress her boss so much she gets promoted.
* In ''Series/TheGoodPlace'' this is revealed in the fourth episode to be what [[spoiler: Jianyu - real name Jason Mendoza-]] has been doing the whole time. Accidentally put in the [[{{Heaven}} Good Place]], he was offered the perfect cover by being [[spoiler: mistaken for a Buddhist monk who took a vow of silence]], so he just lets everyone else project wisdom on him. If he does say anything the illusion is immediately shattered.
* ''Series/LittleLunch'': In "The Band", everyone else in class thinks Rory is meditating and starts emulating him. He is actually suffering a PottyEmergency and his muttering "Mustn't pee my pants" to himself over and over under his breath.
* In an episode of ''Series/ThirdRockFromTheSun'', Harry accidentally chains himself to a tree in a park which is about to be destroyed. This coincidence causes him to get mistaken for a protester:
-->'''Protester:''' Hey, man, you want to sign this petition? The town's going to destroy Bates Park.\\
'''Harry:''' ''[trying to hide his plight]'' Uh, maybe in a little while.\\
'''Protester:''' There's no time. The dozers are on their way.\\
'''Harry:''' Okay, I've chained myself to the tree.\\
''[protesters instantly gather around Harry]''\\
'''Reporter:''' Sir, sir, excuse me. Is it true you've chained yourself to that tree?\\
'''Harry:''' Yes, that's exactly what I've done.\\
'''Reporter:''' So you won't free yourself even though the city bulldozers are on their way?\\
'''Harry:''' ''[looks down]'' No, I cannot do that.\\
''[protesters cheer and poor Harry still doesn't understand what's happening]''\\
'''Reporter:''' He may be an organized protester, he may be a rogue mountain man, but one thing's for sure--he may be a hero.

* In ''Videogame/Portal2'' when [=GLaDOS=] finds inspiration in the insane ramblings of Cave Johnson, especially when he makes a rant about how when life gives you lemons, you should burn life's house down.

* In ''VideoGame/JadeEmpire'', defeating Sir Roderick Ponce Von Fontlebottom the Magnificent Bastard in debate and combat will net you a pick of several rewards, one being a "Manual of Trepanation". Since the idea of drilling holes in your own head is patently absurd, you assume it's intended to be metaphorical and use it as basis for a meditative technique, boosting your spirit stat.

%%* [[http://nonadventures.com/2006/09/23/lucy-in-the-sky-with-genocide/ This strip]] of ''Webcomic/TheNonAdventuresOfWonderella''.
%%* In ''Webcomic/KoanOfTheDay'', this [[http://www.koanoftheday.com/17/ has happened]] in [[http://www.koanoftheday.com/2/ several koans]].

* ''Webcomic/OnePunchMan'': In his attempts to be a "teacher", Saitama will often say things that will be taken for this from [[TheComicallySerious Genos]].
* In ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'', [[http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/07/12 Gabe's password recovery question]] "What is delicious?" seemingly causes Tycho to go through an existential crisis. Then Gabe remembers: "It's candy. Candy is delicious."

* ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls1998'': In "Impeach Fuzz", Mayor is running for reelection, spouting his usual, tired lines even though he always runs unopposed. Fuzzy Lumpkins gets tired of Mayor's shouting to the crowd interrupting his sleep, so he yells "SHUT UP!", and people act like it's the best campaign slogan ever. Cue Fuzzy getting elected mayor and making a mess of Townsville.

* On ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'', Peggy's father is a senile Montana cowboy whose meaningless ramblings Hank takes as "cowboy wisdom."
* On ''WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy,'' [[CloudCuckoolander Fred Fredburger]] has to cast the deciding vote about whether [[TheDitz Billy]] or [[EnfantTerrible Mandy]] is [[TheGrimReaper Grim's]] true master. [[MathematiciansAnswer He replies yes]], which the judge takes as profound wisdom about how the two friends shouldn't be forced to split up in the first place.
* The entire premise of the ''WesternAnimation/TazMania'' episode "Ask Taz".

* In ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'':
** In "Brain Drain", a bunch of goth kids mistake Doofenshmirtz's line "there's a platypus controlling me" as a metaphor for whatever is keeping you down, when he really means [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin there's a platypus controlling him.]]
** In "She's the Mayor", Candace wins the Mayor for a Day contest because the judges assumed "Why My Little Brothers Should Be Busted" was a political metaphor.
* ''WesternAnimation/DcSuperheroGirls'': Karen (Bumblebee) is trying to tell Jessica (Green Lantern) that the Super Villain Girls are planting a bomb on the bridge into town so Harley Quin won't have to take a math test tomorrow. [[GranolaGirl Jess]] believes "There's a bomb on the bridge" is a perfect metaphor in favor of vegetarianism, and incorporates it into her protest of the Burrito Bucket restaurant.

* In ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'', [[http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/07/12 Gabe's password recovery question]] "What is delicious?" seemingly causes Tycho to through an existential crisis...while Gabe remembers "It's candy. Candy is delicious."

* ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'': In "Impeach Fuzz", Mayor is running for reelection, spouting his usual, tired lines even though he always runs unopposed. Fuzzy Lumpkins gets tired of Mayor's shouting to the crowd interrupting his sleep, so he yells "SHUT UP!", and people act like it's the best campaign slogan ever. Cue Fuzzy geting elected mayor and making a mess of Townsville.

* In ''Fanfic/MarriageOfHeavenAndHell,'' after winning the first round in the Rating Game with Sairaorg Bael [[spoiler: by breaking the seal on Arondight by punching Sabnock,]] Rahab says "What is steel compared to the hand that wields it?” Hagane considers this statement "surprisingly profound" but Koneko comments that she's [[Film/ConanTheBarbarian "pretty sure that's just a movie quote."]]

* ''Manga/OnePunchMan'', In his attempts to be a "teacher", Saitama will often say things that will be taken for this from [[TheComicallySerious Genos]].

* [[http://nonadventures.com/2006/09/23/lucy-in-the-sky-with-genocide/ This strip]] of ''Webcomic/TheNonAdventuresOfWonderella''.
* In ''Webcomic/KoanOfTheDay'', this [[http://www.koanoftheday.com/17/ has happened]] in [[http://www.koanoftheday.com/2/ several koans]].
* The audience at Pat's performance in [[http://achewood.com/index.php?date=10062003 this]] strip of ''Webcomic/{{Achewood}}''.

* In ''Webcomic/{{Freefall}}'' a robot [[http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff3100/fc03080.htm misinterprets]] Sam's attempt to steal from him as commentary on humans and the nature of greed.
** Possibly subverted in that the next comic implies that that may well have [[http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff3100/fc03081.htm actually been Sam's intention]] and his denial was part of the lesson he was trying to teach.

* ''Series/DropTheDeadDonkey''. Some violent doodlings by Joy Merryweather are put on display as artwork, and even she's dubious about why until she discovers the man running the exhibit is bribing an art critic to pass her "infantile scrawl" as art in a scheme to get into Joy's pants. She gets her revenge by displaying him bound, gagged and naked in his own gallery as an exhibit.

Compare IceCreamKoan, ComicallyMissingThePoint, NotActuallyTheUltimateQuestion. When the entire work gets this treatment from the audience, it's EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory.

* In ''Webcomic/{{Freefall}} a robot [[http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff3100/fc03080.htm misinterprets]] Sam's attempt to steal from him as commentary on humans and the nature of greed.

'''Teacher:''' Exactly!\\

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

-->'''Mr. Bean''': Hello. I'm Dr. Bean... [[PhonyDegree apparently]], and my job is to sit... and look at paintings. ''[applause]'' So, um, what have I learned that I can say about this painting? Well firstly, [[CaptainObvious it's quite big]]. Which is ''excellent''. Because it was very small, you know, ''microscopic'', then hardly anyone would be able to see it. Which would be a tremendous shame. ''[audience nods in approval]'' And secondly - and I'm getting quite near the end now of this analysis of this painting... w-why was it worth this man here ''[points to General Newton]'' spending fifty million of your American dollars on this portrait? And the answer is... erm, well, this picture is worth such a lot of money because... [[ShapedLikeItself it's a picture of Whistler's mother]]. And as I've learned by [[ThePowerOfFriendship staying with my best friend David Langley and his family]], [[ThePowerOfFamily families are very important]]. ''[David cracks a smile]'' And even though Mr. Whistler was perfectly aware that his mother was a [[ApronMatron hideous old bat who looked like she had a cactus lodged up her backside]] ''[[[ActuallyPrettyFunny the audience laughs]]]'' he stuck with her. And even took the time to paint this amazing picture of her. It's not just a painting; it's a picture of a mad old cow who he thought the world of. And that's ''marvellous''... ''[the audience nod together in agreement and approval]'' Well, that's what I think anyway! ''[the audience stand and applaud]''

[[folder: WebOriginal]]

'''Teacher:''' ''Exactly!\\

* In ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'', Dawn brings a robot replica of Buffy to a parent-teacher conference rather than reveal that Buffy (her sole legal provider) is dead. The Buffybot naturally makes boneheaded remarks, such as "School is where you learn.", all of which are accompanied by 'yeahs!' and 'you said it!' from the other parents. ("Bargaining Pt. 1")

* In an episode of ''Series/ThirdRockFromTheSun'', Harry accidentally chains himself to a tree at a most opportune time:

* ''WebVideo/LasagnaCat'' episode [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAh9oLs67Cw 07/27/1978]] revolves around a man who thinks a(n incredibly banal) [[https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61vKWKZe+1L._AC_SY355_.jpg three-panel Garfield strip]] is the most profound artistic statement in human history, and he spends an hour detailing his lifelong journey to uncover whatever spiritual and philosophical meaning Jim Davis poured into it. The lecture spans from the beginning of the universe to the final state of entropy, and he firmly believes that ''ComicStrip/Garfield'' holds the secrets to understanding God and man.

* ''WebVideo/GodsOfFood'' shows Pak Jang-Mi, a Buddhist monk who is repeatedly subject to this and wishes people would understand when she says "This is not a restaurant," "I am not a chef," and "Pick up your trash," she's being entirely literal, because the temple is overrun by obnoxious tourists.