Monday Listicles this week is “10 Best Movie Quotes” as suggested by the fabulous, funny and sensible Ally from Just A Normal Mom. So you know what that means? We got the husbands involved again just like we did for the James Bond post.
Erin: In addition to this just being fun, we learned something about our marriages, even after all these years . . .
Ellen: And we are talking years! I have 19 years and Erin has 16 years notched on the old garter belts.
Erin: Don’t do the math, people! As far as you know, we were child brides.
Ellen: That’s our story, and we’re sticking to it. Anyway, my husband and I have a short hand, semi-secret, vernacular based on movie quotes! I never really realized it until writing this post.
Erin: Steve and I do the same thing!
Ellen: Do other couples do this??
Erin: Hard to say, but let’s just assume our semi-secret code will be secret no more.
The Marital Code of Movie Quotes
Ellen and Frank
1.“O’Doyle Rules!”
Usage — (1) To proclaim superiority when crushing someone else (2) Ending to a conversation involving waxing poetic about our awesomeness.
Remember the bullish family of kids who plagued Billy Madison with acts of obnoxiousness at nearly every grade level as he took his speedy second chance run through his entire 12 years of school and always bellowed “O’Doyle Rules!”? That’s us. Sort of.
Whenever we crush at something major like UNO, Trivial Pursuit, or swimming pool water blaster fights, we always exclaim, “O’Doyle Rules!” But truly we say it with love and mostly to each other.
We also end our (private) conversations where we catch ourselves congratulating ourselves for our fabulosity with this little proclamation. Helps us keep our obnoxiousness from spilling over into the public arena. You’re welcome.
2. “Imagine it.”
Usage — (1) Usually uttered by Frank when Ellen has the audacity to complain that he is blocking her view of the TV, parade, shoe sale rack, etc. (2) Less likely to provoke a rabbit punch when used to indicate you’re not sure how something is going to end.
All you need to know is that The Skulls is about the worst elitist frat boy ever who utters this to a girl whose view he was blocking at a rowing race.
Scene -Generically Pretty Blonde (GPB) sitting there chilling and taking in a rowing race, like we all like to do. Paul Walker’s character, Caleb Mandrake (I know, right?) struts over like a rooster on Viagra and plops in front of her. Like 2 inches in front of her, because, you know, he’s super cool.
GPB: “Hey, Caleb, I can’t see.”
Caleb (without turning around): “Imagine it.”
Okay, I admit it, he IS cool.
3. “When do you drink vodka?” “Whenever.”
Usage — Mostly used by Frank to express an unknown completion date of some task.
To really get this gem, you have to hear the “Whenever” deadpanned in Allison’s (Ally Sheedy) voice.
“Frank, when are you going to take out the trash?” “Whenever.”
“Frank, when are you going to take out the live dead Christmas tree?” “Whenever.”
“Frank, when would you like to get busy?” “Whenev . . . wait!”
4. “Fear does not exist in this dojo!” “Yes, Sensei!”
Usage — A frequent (humorous) pep talk gem given before tests, games, and performances.
Frank to the girls before a swim meet: “Concentrate on your turns and swim hard into the wall. Fear does not exist in this dojo!” His ABSOLUTE dream is for the girls to one day respond, “Yes, Sensei!” IF this ever happens he will declare himself the winner of parenthood and exit the building.
5.“Lighten up, Francis”
Usage — What do you think it means?? Isn’t it obvious or are you daft or something?? Geez!!
Frank may or may not frequently use this, because Ellen may or may not frequently need to lighten up.
Erin and Steve
6. “There’s no crying in baseball.”
Usage — (1) Steve to the crew whenever they start sniveling or whining about something or, you know, “forget to use that thing three feet above their a$%.” (Direct quote that precedes this one in the movie) (2) Steve to Erin when she has left the ranch.
Five kids means that we have more than our share of whining. This is how we shut it down.
Steve is such a ridiculously spot-on mimic that when he channels Tom Hanks as he says this, you want to wipe your nose on your sleeve, pull your stuff together, and make the play (not the throw to home with a tw0-run lead, but you get my drift). Pronto.
7. “Let it go, Indiana.”
Usage — (1) Used to break a child out of an obsession (2) Used to stop Erin (or sometimes Steve, but let’s be fair, it’s usually Erin) in the middle of a rant.
Your family may not have fallen under the power of Minecraft yet, but it is the Dark Master of Timesuck around here. We have tried all sorts of systems to control the tech time, but it’s a painful weaning from this particular game EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. We use this phrase most often when trying to pry the keyboard from the kung-fu grip of a tween boy.
Of course, it’s equally at play trying to bring Erin down off a ledge or out of her tree.
Erin uses it most often to stop Steve from playing Civilization, the adult equivalent of Minecraft. (Note to readers: Do not buy this game for your husband for his birthday.)
8. “You’re killing me, Smalls.”
Usage — (1) Used almost exclusively on a kid who has proven either clueless, exasperating, or both (2) Also used as a verbal high five for a funny.
Our life provides endless opportunities to throw this one around. In fact, we like it so much we have given it a second life as a mark of admiration for some clever punny-ness.
Erin heard they started putting this saying on t-shirts. She would not turn down a gift like that. Just saying.
9. “I don’t know, Margo.”
Usage — (1) Used between Erin and Steve to answer a question that could be deemed snarkastic (2) Occasionally used to answer any question, because it’s just so darn funny.
Todd and Margo are the yuppie neighbors to the Griswolds. This phrase is appropriate any time someone is packing ‘tude or piling some edginess on a stack of sass. In fact, we just used this one today when discussing the basketball schedule for the 9 year old. Now, Erin is not saying who was bringing the Margo and who had to sling the Todd, but everyone is still standing and talking to each other so we are counting that as a victory.
You really do have to say it just like Todd though, so here’s the clip just in case you have been living in a bomb shelter and haven’t seen this Chevy Chase Christmas classic movie.
10. “Francisco. That’s fun to say.”
Usage — (1) bringing on a laugh in the middle of a tense moment (2) talking a teen off that hormonal ledge (3) Any time you want to inject some funny, like on the 1000 miles of car trips we took over Christmas break.
Oh, Elf, is an awesome movie for lots of reasons, not the least of which is that it brought this phrase into our life. Truly, this is the parental equivalent of the bomb squad for diffusing the landmines in our living room, our car, wherever.
It induces a laugh. Every. Single. Time.
Thank you once again to Stasha for hosting the fabulous Monday Listicles every week. We love the writers we meet there every week, so make this the week you actually click the link and check it out.
For as Yoda says, “Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.” See what we did there? We can’t help ourselves. Happy Monday from Ellen and Erin.
And an extra Happy Monday to Erin’s daughter who you know as Biddie. She turns 14 today. Here’s one of Erin’s favorite Happy Birthday movie clips just for her from Uncle Buck.
Happy Birthday, Sweet Biddie!
Tell us! Do YOU talk in movie Quotes?
Great choices y’all! We say several of these also!
thedoseofreality recently posted..The Top 10 Movie Moments You Will Want To Play On a Loop
It’s universal fun for all! Erin
Sadly but hilariously the kids and I can have entire conversations in movie quotes. We use a few of yours. Another favorite, when they channel their inner Napolean Dynamite…. Me: “How was school today?” Them: “Worse day of my life, what do you think?!”
Oh my goodness, I totally forgot about that one. I use to say that every day when I had three kids under 3. I wish I was kidding. Erin
My husband and I have a movie quote catalog, too. In fact, I also wrote my list about the quotes we love. And “There’s no crying in baseball!” is one of our favourites, too. Movie quotes are just so versatile – and entertaining!
Kim@Co-Pilot Mom recently posted..10 Movie Quotes (We Are Available For Parties)
Couldn’t agree more. Of course, we also quote a fair amount of TV. My husband has taken to calling me Lorelai as a term of endearment because I quote Gilmore Girls so often. Erin
“There’s no crying in baseball” almost made my list, too. Hubs and I use it quite a bit. And I said on my post – “you’re killing me Smalls” might be the most used quote in our house, ever!
Ally recently posted..Movie Quotes Galore
We are so much alike. I love that about blogging. You find your secret twins out in the inter webs! Erin
my husband and I were having a blast with this list. Totally all stuff we would say in daily life. Elf of course is especially big right now given the holidays are just over and the kids watched it about 2, 482 times. Son of a nutcracker! 🙂
Rorybore recently posted..Monday Listicles: Movie Quotes
It is totally fun for sure. My kids were dying to get in on the fun too. We watch Elf kind of obsessively too. Can’t have too much Will Ferrell. Erin
There’s no crying in… is used almost daily in this house.
Bridget recently posted..Monday Listicles
Ha! Of course it is! It’s perfect! Erin
Well at least I recognized There’s no crying in baseball. Apparently my movie trivia skills are lacking : )
Lori recently posted..Top 10 Chick Flicks
Youre killing me, Smalls!!!!! Ah! I can so see this scene now. id totally forgotten it. however, I picked up the gem “L7 Weenie” from The Sandlot, and I use that often. Why? I doooont know, Maaaargo. Great list, ladies.
Oh my goodness, I forgot that part! Erin
I didn’t think of using Elf! That could be a whole list of 10, right there!
I know the exact tone of, “I don’t know, Margo!” My husband has never seen that movie…maybe we should watch it just so I could introduce it into our daily lives.
Robin Jingjit recently posted..I am sick of kids movies
Oh, you have to get right on that. He will love it. And you for sharing it with him. And I agree with you about Elf. Erin
You’re just like me. So many movie quotes are part of my lexicon. “LIghten up Frances.” That’s a good one.
Jamie@SouthMainMuse recently posted..“It Just Doesn’t Matter” List of Ten.
I think I might steal it and start using it too. It’s perfect. Erin
Billy Madison quotes make it into our conversations pretty frequently. And my boss pulls out “You’re killing me, Smalls” pretty often.
You guys are definitely not alone – I’m realizing how much movie & TV quotes make it into our daily conversation now that I’m thinking about it!
Katie E recently posted..Project 365: Week 2
Oh, most of Adam Sandler’s movies are infinitely quotable. Of course, I think the same could be said of Will Ferrell. Erin
I need to watch more movies 🙂
Alison recently posted..Memories Captured – January Linkup
Do you think we could arrange an international movie night?? How fun would that be?? Erin
I quote Shakespeare, the Buddha and Plato at my kids. It confuses them.
Wayne recently posted..Monday Quiz
That’s sheer brilliance. We use the “though she might be but little, she is fierce” all the time too. Biddie is a tiny firecracker! Erin
Love it! I’m constantly quoting movies but most of the time, nobody seems to know what the heck I’m talking about. “There’s no crying in baseball!” is priceless.
I geek out a lot and my brothers and sister are the same way. When we all get together, I am thoroughly convinced that most people have no idea what the heck we are talking about. Erin
I say “There’s no crying in baseball” all the time! I never thought about it, but I actually talk in Friends lingo. Maybe I need a new sitcom to watch.
Friends and Gilmore Girls. I might need an inter-friend-tion. Oy, with the poodles already! See what I did there?? Erin
Forgot all about Francisco. Fran.Cis.Co. Must be said with the appropriate amount of rolling around of the mouth and tongue. Hilarious!
Kelly recently posted..How do you just choose ten????
Yes. Yes, it does. We have quite the talented crew! Erin
How can I have forgotten “you’re killin’ me, Smalls?’ We say it all the time!
One of the movie codes in our house is One time at band camp…usually used when our daughter goes on one of her never-ending, very detailed tales. We also say, “If you build it, they will come” whenever we start on yet another project around the farm.
Awesome Uncle Buck clip!
And I had forgotten about the no crying in baseball until we watched the movie again the other night. It will surey go back into our rotation.
christine recently posted..It’s Listicle Day! – Movie Quotes
I can’t believe I forgot to include “One time at band camp” and “if you build it, they will come.” I love that Uncle Buck clip!! Erin
Yep, we do quotes things at each other, too. Usually it’s a line from one of Robot Chicken’s Star Wars parodies, and it’s usually my husband saying it to me. It’s the dinner scene from Empire Strikes Back, but in the RC version, Princess Leia complains about how Darth Vader blew up her home planet, and Darth Vader says — and my husband says in a Vader voice — “Let it go, Princess.” Guess you have to see it. lol
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Um, you are writing to a girl who knows her Star Wars and has seen the Robot Chicken parodies. We could hang out and scare all the other girls sometimes with our fabulous uber-dorkiness. Erin
Awesome!!!! I’m a total geek, especially when it comes to Star Wars. So you know the scene in the parody I’m talking about and can probably imagine all sorts of scenarios in which my husband uses it. 😉
Bee recently posted..10 Best Liz Lemon Quotes
Our favorite movie line is “I was thinking of roasting pumpkin seeds” from the movie classic Cabin Boy staring Chris Elliott. Worse movie ever but we are huge Chris Elliott fans so we had to see it. Usage- I wasn’t listening at all to what you had to say and was thinking about something else. Makes us laugh everytime:)
I am going to start using it right now, Mary! I forgot all about Cabin Boy. Classic bad movie. I’m a connoisseur of those. 🙂 Ellen
Ha! Loved that terrible movie, Mary. Erin
The Listicles this week are great! I am sitting here at lunch at my desk cracking up…
Julia Gibson recently posted..Monday Listicles: 10 Favorite Movie Quotes
I couldn’t agree more. Great topic. So much fun to read. Erin
Um, YES! That’s funny… I just reblogged a post about that…
http://sadderbutwiser.wordpress.com/2012/09/02/have-fun-storming-the-castle/
The Sadder But Wiser Girl recently posted..The ADD Kitchen 4: Baby It’s Cold Outside But We Want to be Healthy Edition
#5, 6, 8, and 10 are used on a regular basis in our house (and so coincidental that we just had what we call “mandatory family fun” to watch A League of Their Own this past Sat. night!)! We’re also huge fans of Napoleon and use the “Worst day of my life, what do you THINK?” pretty much daily as well as about 50 other quotes from that gem of a movie (“Forgot ma checkbook, mind if I pay you in change?” while patting your pockets, “You’re bruising my neckmeat”, “Make yourself a dang quesa-dilla!” (said when we don’t feel like making dinner) and “Napoleon, would you mind pulling me into town?” are some of our other favorites). So funny to think that other couples communicate the same way, LOL!
I cannot believe that I forgot about Napoleon Dynamite! Love that movie. Great lines that we say ALL. THE. TIME. Love that you all do the same thing. Erin
You guys are hysterical! If I tried to communicate with Irishman this way, it would consist of one of two quotes, “my lips hurt real bad” and “aaaasssss yooooou wiiiish”
Ducky recently posted..Irishman’s Top 10 Movie Quotes
Wow, I feel like my movie knowledge AND marriage is lacking in this department. We never quote movies to each other. But I definitely need to use this one:
7. “Let it go, Indiana.”
with my six-year-old Indiana Jones-obsessed relentless nagger! 🙂
Marie recently posted..Ten best movie quotes: a tribute to Kate
It’s one of my favorites, especially helpful when talking to a fan. Erin
ELF!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness so many great lines! My favorite ‘Santa’s coming? I KNOW HIM I KNOW HIM!”
love your list! and this site! I’m sorry i didn’t find it sooner! I definitely want to join the book club!
Yay! We are talking about Gone Girl on Wednesday. Love, love, love, Elf. Erin
LOL!!! That was funny. We SORT of do that. It gets kinda reworded and it’s always seems to be flirt related. I’m keepin’ my comment PG.
Kenya G. Johnson recently posted..A snotty nose confrontation…
You have the most awesome spin on the list! So great 🙂
Stacie @ Snaps and Bits recently posted..Milk Bubbles
Once I clued into marital not martial..it’s been a long day More television quotes around here “You’ve been chopped” after a cooking disaster but Napoleon Dynamite gets a lot of mileage and Forrest Gump too.
paul recently posted..TOK goes to the Movies, again
OMG such great quotes! I totally tell my kids “You’re Killing Me Smalls!” That and every time I saw the word is FFFFOOOOORRR EEEEEVVVEEERRRR. Glad we’re not the only married couple that quote movies to each other 🙂
Audrey recently posted..Monday Listicles – 10 Favorite Movies
I was just thinking that I missed one of our favourite quotes. Whenever my husband or I is getting overly serious, the other one says “It’s just a game, Focker!” from the football scene in Meet the Parents, when Gaylord accidentally breaks the bride-to-be’s nose.
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See and we always quote, “Greg. Greg’s afraid of the ball.” It’s perfect for so many situations. You are gonna have to trust me on this one. Erin
These are not the droids you’re looking for.
Yep. That’s a favorite too! Awesome! Erin
How funny! I put some of the quotes in my post today that my husband and I use–it’s not just you!
Janice recently posted..Lists. Movies. What’s not to Love?
We spend a lot of time together. Sometimes, we can’t tell if it’s just us or if everybody does these things. So glad to hear that the rest of the world does this too. Erin
Wonderful collaborative list! Especially enjoyed the inclusion of “The Skulls” even if it’s only because I love me some Pacey. 🙂
Miss Marina Star recently posted..Say It Again
Aww, I do love Pacey. Fringe fan?? Erin
We say most of the ones on your list, and we also like:
“We just don’t know now do we Dude?”, “You’re out of your element” and “Careful man, there’s a beverage here!” from The Big Lebowski.
Amy recently posted..Just Add Water: My Week Condensed 1/14/13
How could I forget the Big Lebowski??? Very quotable movie. Erin
Honor has a shirt that says, “though she be but little, she is fierce.” 🙂
And I have you to thank for the current Minecraft craziness in my house! Boy #2 is obsessed, boy #3 would be too if boy #2 would actually let him play!
And Gary likes to throw this one at me when he knows he is wrong, “You make me want to be a better man.” It is usually delivered via text message when he forgets to do something in the morning before he leaves for work. 🙂
And I just read Gone Girl over Christmas Break. I had to stay up WAY too late at night to actually read it and I gotta say I loved it, but was very unsatisfied with the ending.
Oh, goodness, me too, Sarah, I felt the exact same way about Gone Girl. Love that Honor has a shirt like that. And the quote from gary is perfect. We spent dinner tonight thinking of all the quotes we didn’t include. Too much fun, Erin
Uncle Buck! I used to love that movie. I always wanted to make a giant pancake like he did.
And I LOVE Billy Madison. When I think a guy is hot I’m like, “So hot, want to touch the hiney.”
Amber recently posted..Return of the Giant Chocolate
Ya just can’t beat “You’re killing me smalls”! Excellent choice 🙂
Love, love, love your take on the list. And happy birthday to Biddie! xo
Kimberly Speranza (Sperk*) recently posted..10 Best Movie Quotes
Thanks, Sperk. And thanks for the birthday wishes. I still can’t believe she’s 14. Erin
Love it ladies!! You always have the neatest approaches! I had to watch John Candy clip twice. Miss seing him in movies…
Stasha recently posted..Monday Listicles
Me too, Stasha. Me too. Erin
As Tony the Tiger would say…this was grrrrrrrate!!! I guess he never was in a movie though. *sigh*
The “Yes Sensei” totally cracked me up.
Diane recently posted..10 Movie Quotes from Riley World…#Monday Listicles
Ha! My husband said that part cracked him up too, because he knows Frank and could totally hear him saying that. Erin
Anytime it’s raining really really hard (which happens often here in the NW) I like to say “I don’t think the heavy stuff’s gonna come down for awhile”. Which is from Caddyshack when Bill Murray is caddying the priest in the middle of a lightning storm.
I continue to say this quote for no other reason than to entertain myself since no one ever gets it.
Christian at Point Counter-Point Point Point recently posted..Who Doesn’t Like a Parade? I Mean Besides Me.
I just tested my husband by reading your quote and he knew exactly where it was from, who said it, and the dialogue before and after it. Bam! Your are understood in the Mid-Atlantic. Ellen
Ahhh, I almost screamed out loud at #9, as the Hubs and I do that one ALL the time! And #3, love it!!! I love that awesome Breakfast Club quote- way to pick the best one. I really loved hearing what the movie quotes mean to you in terms of your spousal relationships, too- nice touch! SIgh. Love you ladies. I missed these Listicles because I moved my website Monday and I would have died from the stress of two posts. Also, I plugged your Pintershit in my launch day post- hope that’s cool… xo
Stephanie @ Mommy, for real. recently posted..The Parade Charade
You did some strong work on that website! It looks so nice! And thank you for the shout out! Ellen
Huge fan of A League of Their Own and The Sandlot. And of course, Uncle Buck!
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Kate
Seriously Kate recently posted..Listicle: Best Movie Quotes (According to Me)
I love this more than my luggage!!
My husband and I don’t do this but my BFF and I are totally fluent in movie quotes. We use so many of those, too! Especially “O’Doyle rules” because my maiden name was Doyle. So how could you not? =)
Love this blog and so glad for link-ups and new reads!!!
Ashley recently posted..That Voodoo That You Do So Well
That is awesome! So glad to have “met” you! Ellen
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I am sitting here laughing to myself because this is totally my husband and I! Sadly, we have our 6yo doing it now and we find ourselves speaking “Star Wars” to him because it’s quite often the only language he understands. So the Yoda quote above it quite popular in our house. We also say a lot of, “Patience, my young Padawan.”
Wow, we sound really dorky 🙂
Jessica @ Keeping Mommy Sane recently posted..What’s In a Name?
Nope. You sound like our kind of people. ; ) Erin
Hello! McFly!
Just keep swimming!
And one of my daughters went through a phase of starting every story with “One time…” to which my husband and I would immediately respond in unison “…at band camp!” We had to stop doing it when she wanted to know why and then asked if she could see the movie. Um, no. Not until you are twenty!