Memes and idioms

A meme is something that spreads rapidly, becoming well known, usually around the Internet. The Simpsons has spawned a couple of memes over the years. An idiom is something that originated from something like a TV show, book, movie etc. but has became commonly used.

Memes

"That's a paddlin'"

"That's a paddlin'" was a quote used by Jasper Beardley in the episode "The PTA Disbands". The quote has achieved meme status, being used by numerous Simpsons fans on the Internet.

Dead Bart

Dead Bart is a Creepypasta that has become well known over the Internet. Many fans have been led to believe that it is real, although it is not.

Idioms

Cheese-eating surrender monkeys

Originally said by Willie in the episode "'Round Springfield", this phrase has been used in other media, most notably by Jonah Goldberg after France's opposition to the invasion of Iraq.

"Cromulent"

"Cromulent", originally said by Lisa in the episode "Lisa the Icoonclast" entered the Webster's Dictionary.

"Kwyjibo"

Kwyjibo, a made-up word used by Bart in "Bart the Genius", has been used as the name of the Melissa Computer Virus.

"I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords"

Used by Kent Brockman in "Deep Space Homer", the phrase has now become used to express submission mockingly. It was also used in New Scientist magazine.

Meh

While not originating from The Simpsons, meh has been thought to be popularized by the show.

D'oh

Although not exactly a meme, D'oh has been added into the Oxford English Dictionary. It is commonly used by people both over the Internet and in real life.