English catchphrases in foreign language films

September 26, 2012 1:04 PM

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?

posted by Nanukthedog to Society & Culture (11 answers total)

"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.
posted by c at 1:22 PM on September 26, 2012 [3 favorites]

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.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 1:34 PM on September 26, 2012

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?"
posted by ariel_caliban at 1:39 PM on September 26, 2012 [1 favorite]

Dragon Ball Z - Kamehameha which Goku says when he fires his fireball, is a Hawaiian King
posted by kanemano at 1:52 PM on September 26, 2012 [1 favorite]

Psy seems to have co-opted the phrase "sexy lady" and the word "style" for his Gangnam Style song & video.
posted by dfriedman at 4:25 PM on September 26, 2012 [3 favorites]

"OK" is the one I can think of that seems most widespread.
posted by smallerdemon at 4:39 PM on September 26, 2012

I've heard people say "game over" in Hindi-language Bollywood movies, as discussed here.
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:18 PM on September 26, 2012 [1 favorite]

Also "You know what I'm saying?" in "Gangnam Style."
posted by Sidhedevil at 6:43 PM on September 26, 2012 [1 favorite]

Pretty much all of these and these for Mexico and probably lots of South America.
posted by cobain_angel at 9:01 PM on September 26, 2012 [1 favorite]

Oops, please disregard my comment as I fail at reading comprehension.
posted by cobain_angel at 9:01 PM on September 26, 2012

People used to say "Nice Shot!" to me a lot in Tokyo, but I never knew what they were referring to.
posted by howgenerica at 12:08 AM on September 27, 2012 [1 favorite]