"Wha' happa'": wha' happa'?

November 6, 2005 9:50 AM

Where is "wha' happa'?" (a mutated version of "what happened?") from? I know Fred Willard's character in Mighty Wind was known for saying it, but I've also seen references to it (old MST3K episodes, for instance) that predate Mighty Wind. They must be referring to some older use of it... but what?
posted by wanderingmind to Society & Culture (3 answers total)

I have heard this clip on The Don and Mike Show before, but I don't know the original source.
posted by Wild_Eep at 10:35 AM on November 6, 2005

Best answer: Already asked and answered on Ask.Mefi!

The answer, or at least "an" answer, was found by yours truly: it's from the hit song "Bongo, Bongo, Bongo (Civilization)" by Danny Kaye and the Andrews Sisters from 1947.
posted by Asparagirl at 10:39 AM on November 6, 2005

Response by poster: Oops. That's what I get for not searching well enough. Thanks, Asparagirl.
posted by wanderingmind at 12:47 PM on November 6, 2005