About
“That’s what she said” is a catchphrase used in response to a statement that has the potential to sound sexual if taken out of context. On the Internet, it has been used in parody videos and image macros.
Origin
The phrase was first popularized by Canadian comedian Mike Myers in the 1992 blockbuster comedy Wayne’s World[1]. During a scene where they film their local access show in Wayne’s basement, he uses the phrase in response to Garth.
Garth: “Hey are you through yet? Cause I’m getting tired of holding this.”
Wayne: “That’s what she said.”
Spread
Urban Dictionary has at least 48 definition entries submitted to the term “that’s what she said,” with the earliest instance dating back to August 26th, 2003[2]:
A response you can say after just about anything to turn it into a sexual inuendo.
Hard to explain in writing, just try it out when you’re hangin around your friends.
On TV Tropes, it is listed as a stock phrase and subtrope of “Nudge”[3], a device used to indicate that a double entendre has been delivered.
In April 2009, single topic blog TWSSstories[4] was launched. The site provided a platform similar to FML where people can share their personal “that’s what she said” moments in everyday conversation.
On January 31st, 2010, Funny Or Die posted a mockumentary video about the origin of “that’s what she said,” starring Megan Mullally and Tom Lennon:
Usage
It is a fairly flexible joke that can turn a wide variety of phrases into a double-entendre.
Person 1: “I didn’t feel a thing.”
Person 2: “That’s what she said.”
The flexibility of the phrase is noticeable in the many ways it can be used. In the above example, TWSS is used as an insult. However, it can also be used as a compliment.
Person 1: It’s so big!
Person 2: That’s what she said.
The Office
“That’s what she said” was chosen as a favorite catchphrase for the socially feeble character of Regional Manager Michael Scott for the US version of The Office which first aired in March of 2005. Michael Scott is known for often behaving in ways that are viewed by others as inappropriate, ignorant and dated.
Precursors
“Said the actress to the bishop” was a term used in nearly the exact same manner, and may have been British in origin dating as far back as Edwardian times[5].
The phrase is frequently used (in various contexts) by the fictional character Simon Templar (alias “The Saint”) in a long-running series of mystery books by Leslie Charteris. The phrase first appears in the inaugural Saint novel Meet the Tiger which was published in 1928.
External Links
[1] Internet Movie Database – Wayne’s World: Memorable Quotes
[2] Urban Dictionary – That’s What She Said
[3] TV Tropes – That’s What She Said
[4] TWSS Stories – That’s What She Said Moments and Jokes
[5] Wikipedia – “Said the actress to the bishop”