Take That!: The evolution of the catchphrase

What? I only mentioned this post a little while ago, I don't see why there's any probl...

...ah.

Okay, this has been nearly two months since the original announcement of it, that's a good bit longer than I originally intended to take. Let's see if I still remember everything I wanted to say! (if only there was some way to record my thoughts, maybe on paper somehow...)


 The Evolution of the Catchphrase:

Doing the research for this was by far the hardest task I have undertaken for this blog, I have only very spotty knowledge of popular culture, so I wanted to make sure that I didn't miss any really big ones, and while I have done my best to go through all the major categories, I'm sure there are several ones that I have incorrectly dissed, dismissed, or just plain missed.

There seem to be really three types of Catchphrases: The Self-assured, The Risk-taker, and The Unnerver. (and so continues my inability to properly affix labels to things.) These three types all accomplish different objectives, but always have the same general aim: to enhance one's own position while undermining the position of your challengers, but go about it in different ways. Depending on the character one or more of these options may present itself as the preferred option, but the choice also greatly depends on the situational context.

The Self-assured response is best suited for those characters who are almost always in control of the situation. The character uses this type of response to assert themselves as superior to what ever is trying to oppose them. (Holmes' "Elementary, my dear Watson." or He-Man's "By the power of Grayskull!") it is interesting to note, as with He-man, that the superior power that the character refers to in a statement of this kind does not have to be the character themselves.

The Risk-Taker, like the Self-assured response, is an attempt to intimidate by enhancing one's own abilities. However, rather than stating why the character is superior, it is instead stated why they are dangerous. By doing so, the opposition is challenged as to whether it is in fact a good idea to mess with the character. At it's barest form the character is saying "are you sure about this?" implying that the opposition should not be. (Han Solo's "Never Tell me the odds." or the Terminator's "I'll be back.") this type of catchphrase works best for unpredictable characters, to further unnerve the opposition, but can also be used as large-scale battle-cries with equally great effect. (such as "For Gondor!" or "Avengers Assemble!")

Lastly the Unnerver, which seeks to undermine the confidence of the opposition by pointing out some flaw or reason why the opposition is weaker. This is most commonly chosen by darker characters, who are really saying. "I don't need to be great, but I am better than you." (some examples are "Do you feel lucky punk?" or "Doom's word is law.") this category also roughly applies to mid-combat shouts ("Hulk smash!" or "Fus-Ro-Dah!") as they are an attempt to shake the resolve of the opponent just as you strike.

(Yes, yes, I know, Fus-Ro-Dah is technically dragon speech and a magic spell more than an attempt at intimidation, but if it didn't also send you flying through the air, it would still be an effective battle-cry in that regard.)

The Catchphrase is a rather odd literary tactic, because when you think about what the person is doing, they make little sense. Usually employed just prior to some Feat of prowess, the character utters a few words, often ones that do not even apply to the situation at hand. However, by stating this phrase the character also alludes to every other time they have prevailed or performed similar feats, because they used the statement then as well. The catchphrase is the epitome of self-reference, using the past accomplishments of a character to help set the reader's mind to accept whatever event is about to unfold. The author subconsciously affects us to increase the effectiveness of the person involved.

The best proof for this is the delay. In my research I did not come across any catchphrases that you only hear once. That's not a catchphrase: That's a quote. The catchphrase's power does not necessarily have its full impact even if your character were to utter it in their very first appearance. Because oftentimes the actual words are not what we are hearing/reading. In short, the catchphrase is a manner for an author to clue in their readers that something big is about to go down.

Of course that is just my Unsolicited Opinion, and I would welcome anyone with thoughts on the matter!