6 Most Iconic Saturday Night Live Catch Phrases of All Time

Congratulations on 40 hysterical years, Saturday Night Live! To honor this milestone we have compiled 6 of the funniest catchphrases coined by SNL cast members throughout the years (in no particular order).

1) "I could have used more cowbell!"

Where would the world be without the ‘More Cowbell’ sketch? Famous record producer Bruce Dickinson, (Christopher Walken), just can’t get enough of the overbearing cowbell being laid down in the studio during a Blue Öyster Cult recording session. I can’t explain why this sketch is so funny, but it may just be the most quotable of all time.

2) "I live in a van…DOWN BY THE RIVER!"

Motivational Speaker ‘Matt Foley’ didn’t live an easy life. Heck, he didn’t even have his own house. He was 35 years old. He was divorced. And He lived in a van… DOWN BY THE RIVER! Nobody besides Chris Farley could have done this character justice, which is truly what made this sketch as great as it was.

3) "Well isn’t that special?"

Universally hailed as one of the all time greatest cast members, Dana Carvey was a master at both impressions and creating his own characters. His ‘Church Lady,’ (and her über religious talk-show ‘Church Chat,’) helped spawn some of the most memorable moments the show ever had. The condescending church lady is as quotable as she is unlikeable, and that’s why she is just so darn funny.

4) "Shwing!"

Mike Myers and Dana Carvey really knocked it out of the park with this one. An interesting use of onomatopoeia, this term was coined by slacker buddies ‘Wayne Campbell’ and ‘Garth Algar’ on their public access talk show ‘Wayne’s World.’  It is used to describe their… reactions to beautiful woman. This sketch was basically a catch phrase making factory and it’s impossible to pick just one that stands out above the rest.

5) "We are two wild and crazy guys!"

Before there were Wayne and Garth, the original dynamic duo on the show was ‘Georg and Yortuk Festrunk,’ the Czechoslovakian brothers who tried a little to hard to act American. Reaching all the way back to the original cast, Steve Martin and Dan Akroyd perfectly portray the characters as they bumble their way through American slang and ultimately create some of the greatest catch phrases ever!

6) "We are here to pump you up"

Bodybuilding disciples of Arnold Schwarzenegger, ‘Hanz and Franz’ have their own workout television show that is guaranteed to make you feel bad about yourself. They have no problem insulting and belittling their guests and audiences, but in the end they are just there to pump you up! This is another gem starring Dana Carvey, this time accompanied by Kevin Nealon that belongs in the SNL hall of fame.