Comments on: English catchphrases in foreign language films

Question: English catchphrases in foreign language films

Nanukthedog — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:04:17 -0800

Are there any famous English catchphrases in foreign language television and cinema? Think of this as the Foreign language equivalent to "Hasta la vista, baby!"

Catchphrases in American television and cinema are routinely used as shorthand when referring to the show. Clint Eastwood made "Go ahead make my day" famous. Matt Stone and Trey Parker made, "Oh my god, you killed Kenny - You bastards!" into something easily identifiable with South Park. Jerry Maguire had "You complete me" and "Show me the money." Heck, we even know "Where's the beef? and "I'm not gonna pay a lot for this muffler!"

In a slightly different vein though, Arnold Schwarzenegger inspired us with his complex and nuanced understanding of Spanish, by saying "Hasta la vista, baby!"

And this one led me to wonder, in foreign language films, are there any English lines that have risen to a similar cult status in their respective language, and if so - what are they?

By: c

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:22:54 -0800

"Cheerio Miss Sophie!" came to mind. Though i am not sure it completely applies as the source is fully performed in english. But it's strangely popular as a new years tradition/salutation in Germany.

By: Chocolate Pickle

Chocolate Pickle — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:34:08 -0800

A lot of English words show up in Japanese anime, though not usually phrases like that one.

Probably the longest such are due to the fact that to the Japanese, English is the language of magic. Usually (not always) when someone is casting a spell, they speak it in heavily-accented English. (For English-language movies, usually Latin is the language of magic. Same kind of thing.)

But anime fans have long since gotten used to hearing "Raakki!" and "Chaans" and "Sankyuu", among many others.

By: ariel_caliban

ariel_caliban — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:39:58 -0800

Came to give the German "Dinner For One" reference that "c" gave above -- though I would have chosen "Same procedure as last year, Miss Sophie?"

By: kanemano

kanemano — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:52:31 -0800

Dragon Ball Z - Kamehameha which Goku says when he fires his fireball, is a Hawaiian King

By: dfriedman

dfriedman — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 16:25:12 -0800

Psy seems to have co-opted the phrase "sexy lady" and the word "style" for his Gangnam Style song & video.

By: smallerdemon

smallerdemon — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 16:39:48 -0800

"OK" is the one I can think of that seems most widespread.

By: Sidhedevil

Sidhedevil — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 17:18:25 -0800

I've heard people say "game over" in Hindi-language Bollywood movies, as discussed here.

By: Sidhedevil

Sidhedevil — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 18:43:55 -0800

Also "You know what I'm saying?" in "Gangnam Style."

By: cobain_angel

cobain_angel — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 21:01:14 -0800

Pretty much all of these and these for Mexico and probably lots of South America.

By: cobain_angel

cobain_angel — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 21:01:50 -0800

Oops, please disregard my comment as I fail at reading comprehension.

By: howgenerica

howgenerica — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:08:04 -0800

People used to say "Nice Shot!" to me a lot in Tokyo, but I never knew what they were referring to.