1. Have I Reached the Party to Whom I Am Speaking?
“Have I reached the party to whom I am speaking?” was another gem from Lily Tomlin’s Ernestine, and it perfectly captured her character’s stiff, bureaucratic tone. It was hilariously formal and absurd, delivered with a seriousness that made it even funnier. Audiences laughed because it exaggerated the frustration of dealing with customer service, something everyone could relate to. The line worked as both a punchline and a setup, making every Ernestine sketch memorable. It became one of those phrases that stuck in people’s minds long after the show, proving how a single greeting could turn into comedy gold.
2. Sock It to Me!
There’s a reason “Sock it to me!” became the phrase most people remember from Laugh-In. It was short, snappy, and always came just before something wild happened, like a sudden splash of water or a surprise gag. Judy Carne was famously the one who often found herself soaked after saying it, which made the line even funnier to audiences. What made it stick was the unpredictability; you never knew exactly what the payoff would be, but you knew it was coming. It set the playful, chaotic energy of the show and made viewers laugh every single time.
3. You Bet Your Sweet Bippy
“You bet your sweet bippy” was one of those lines that made absolutely no sense but still felt instantly quotable. People started saying it everywhere, from classrooms to workplaces, and it became a part of pop culture for years. The word “bippy” itself had no real meaning, but that mystery gave it charm. It was cheeky, lighthearted, and perfectly captured Laugh-In’s playful spirit. The cast tossed it around with such confidence that audiences repeated it without hesitation. It was proof that sometimes the funniest lines are the ones you cannot explain, and that was the joy of it.
4. Here Come Da Judge!
“Here come da judge!” had a rhythm that made it sound like a chant, and it carried the kind of energy that got audiences clapping along before the skit even started. It was used to announce the arrival of a courtroom sketch, usually filled with ridiculous rulings and over-the-top jokes. The line became so popular that even celebrities outside the show picked it up during appearances. What made it unforgettable was the combination of timing, delivery, and repetition. It was fun, catchy, and a little nonsensical, which meant people at home could easily join in the laughter too.
5. Look That Up in Your Funk and Wagnalls
“Look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls” was the perfect kind of joke for Laugh-In because it mixed something real with something absurd. Funk and Wagnalls was actually a dictionary brand, but on the show, the line was used as a sarcastic punch that made nonsense sound official. It gave the cast a way to punctuate a gag with a mock sense of authority, which was hilarious in its own right. Audiences loved how it sounded both smart and silly at the same time. It was the kind of running gag that never lost its charm.
6. Very Interesting… But Stupid
Arte Johnson’s iconic line “Very interesting… but stupid” always arrived with perfect timing. His German soldier character would peek from behind a plant, deliver the line in a deadpan voice, and then disappear again. What made it funny was the seriousness of his tone paired with the absurdity of the sketches he was commenting on. The phrase gave audiences permission to laugh at the silliness without overthinking it. It was short, sharp, and completely in tune with the offbeat style of Laugh-In. Over time, it became one of those lines people casually repeated in everyday conversations.
7. Want a Walnetto?
“Want a Walnetto?” was the kind of awkward pickup line that only worked because of the characters delivering it. Arte Johnson’s leering old man and Ruth Buzzi’s prim woman created a perfect clash of creepy persistence and proper outrage. He would shuffle up with a grin, offer the line, and she would swat him down, often literally with her handbag. It was cringey yet funny, because audiences knew exactly what was coming but still laughed when it happened. The catchphrase stuck because it felt so weirdly specific, yet everyone could relate to the humor of unwanted attention.
8. One Ringy-Dingy… Two Ringy-Dingy…
Lily Tomlin’s Ernestine the operator character is remembered most for her “One ringy-dingy… two ringy-dingy…” routine. With her nasal voice, twisted expression, and old-fashioned headset, she made the world of phone operators hilariously ridiculous. The way she dragged out the words and exaggerated her counting set the tone for everything that followed. By the time she started speaking to customers, audiences were already laughing. It was a clever way to turn something as ordinary as phone service into sharp comedy. That simple repetition turned into a national catchphrase and gave Tomlin one of her most beloved roles.
9. Beautiful Downtown Burbank
“Beautiful downtown Burbank” became a running joke on Laugh-In, and it showed the show’s knack for poking fun at itself. Instead of pretending to come from a glamorous place, the hosts leaned into the ordinariness of Burbank, California, where the show was filmed. The line was funny because it dressed up something plain as something exotic. Audiences appreciated the self-awareness, and it gave the show a down-to-earth charm. It was the kind of phrase that sounded silly but stuck, reminding viewers that comedy did not need to take itself too seriously to be entertaining and memorable.
10. Flying Fickle Finger of Fate
The “Flying Fickle Finger of Fate” award was Laugh-In’s way of satirizing politics and social absurdities. The name itself was a tongue twister, but the humor came from the mock seriousness of giving out a silly trophy to real-life figures who had done something foolish. It mixed playful comedy with pointed commentary, showing that television could make fun of both big institutions and everyday nonsense. The alliteration made it fun to say, and audiences loved the rebellious spirit behind it. It was goofy yet smart, proving that Laugh-In could balance slapstick with cultural critique in clever ways.
11. You Rang?
Finally, “You rang?” added a spooky yet playful twist whenever it appeared in skits. Though often linked to another show, Laugh-In used it to poke fun in crossover-style sketches that felt both familiar and fresh. The line worked because of its slow, deep delivery, which instantly set a different mood and made audiences laugh before the joke even played out. It was short, easy to repeat, and strangely versatile, making it a great closer for silly setups. Like so many Laugh-In phrases, it proved that comedy does not always need many words to leave a lasting impression.
This story Still Sockin’ It to Us: 11 Laugh-In Catchphrases That Changed TV and Still Make Us Smile was first published on Daily FETCH
