This Time Next Year…
We’ll Still Be Quoting Sitcoms
(Press play for the audio version of the blog.
Warning: I have far too much fun on the audio replicating catchphrases. I've let you down, I've left my family down, and I have left myself down.
The sitcom catchphrase is comedy shorthand. A single line, repeated often enough (and delivered with the right wink), becomes cultural wallpaper. It’s not always subtle, but it works — and all of them have outlived the shows themselves.
Here are ten sitcom catchphrases, from both sides of the pond, that still have us quoting along.
1. “Lovely jubbly!” — Del Boy, Only Fools and Horses
Dodgy deals, collapsing bars, and this perfect little exclamation. “Lovely jubbly” escaped Peckham and went nationwide, becoming shorthand for any small triumph. It started as an advert slogan for orange juice, but Del Boy turned it into sitcom poetry.
2. “No soup for you!” — The Soup Nazi, Seinfeld
Three words, one world-weary glare. The Soup Nazi’s line became the ultimate sitcom power play. Brits picked it up too, thanks to late-night Channel 4 repeats. Just don’t shout it in Pret if you value your flat white.
3. “I don’t believe it!” — Victor Meldrew, One Foot in the Grave
The king of cantankerousness, Victor’s phrase was so ingrained that even people who never watched the show said it. A whole generation of Brits turned into mini-Meldrews whenever the bus was late or the bins weren’t collected.
4. “How you doin’?” — Joey Tribbiani, Friends
If Joey’s pickup line worked on supermodels, it’s no wonder it wormed into the lexicon. Delivered with that lopsided grin, “How you doin’?” is equal parts charming and cheesy. Perfect fodder for playgrounds and nightclubs alike.
5. “Oh, what’s occurring?” — Nessa, Gavin & Stacey
Ruth Jones turned a throwaway greeting into one of the most iconic lines of the 2000s. Blunt, Welsh, and full of menace or affection depending on the mood — it’s a phrase that can silence a room or start a night out.
6. “Treat Yo’ Self!” — Tom & Donna, Parks and Recreation
An anthem for indulgence. Tom and Donna’s annual Treat Yo’ Self day gave us a catchphrase we still roll out whenever we buy that extra coffee or splash out on a scented candle. Comedy meets consumer therapy.
7. “Oh my God!” — Janice, Friends
Three words dragged out into half a minute of nasal torture. Maggie Wheeler’s Janice made this line unforgettable, weaponising tone of voice until it became comedy gold. Chandler’s groans only made it sweeter.
8. “Don’t tell him, Pike!” — Captain Mainwaring, Dad’s Army
From one of the UK’s most famous sitcom scenes, this line is a perfect mix of slapstick and timing. It’s not just a catchphrase (or even a catchphrase in the true sense of the word), it’s a national memory — repeated at pub quizzes, family dinners, and anytime someone blurts out something they shouldn’t.
9. “That’s what she said.” — Michael Scott, The Office (US)
Juvenile? Yes. Overused? Absolutely. Still funny? Without question. Michael Scott’s endless “that’s what she said” interruptions became workplace legend, to the point where offices everywhere started doing it too.
10. “This time next year, we’ll be millionaires!” — Del Boy, Only Fools and Horses
We had to go back to Del Boy. The eternal optimism of Derek Trotter summed up in one line. No matter how many dodgy deals collapsed, how many chandeliers came crashing down, or how many times Peckham market chewed him up, Del Boy kept the faith. It wasn’t just a catchphrase, it was a promise — and that unshakable hope is why we still love him.
Why Catchphrases Stick
They’re not clever, they’re not complex, but they’re sticky. Catchphrases are sitcoms’ gift to the everyday. A short, repeatable line becomes an in-joke you share with millions. They trigger nostalgia, deliver instant recognition, and make us laugh before the gag even lands.
Honourable Mentions
“D’oh!” — The Simpsons
“Computer says no.” — Little Britain (one had not to be offensive)
“I have a cunning plan” - Blackadder
“What did you have for your dinner?” — Denise, The Royle Family
Final Word
Catchphrases aren’t about depth. They’re about rhythm, timing, and delivery. When they hit, they outgrow the show itself. From Peckham to Pawnee, from sitcom living rooms to our own, they remind us that sometimes the funniest thing you can say… is the same thing, again and again.
Have I missed the best? Let me know in the comments.
Thank you!
