Following on from our look at five famous television catchphrases that became part of everyday British life in the 1960s and 70s. Here are five more that many people of a certain age will remember instantly.
Catchphrases from television programmes which became a part of the language of the time.
Love them or hate them, a catchphrase once heard almost had a life of its own. And if you were in the business of show business and were the one who came up with the catchphrase that took off, you would be remembered forever.
So, let’s get started.
“I didn’t get where I am today…” — C.J. from the BBC comedy series The Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin and The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin
The Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin is the story of a burnt-out and very bored executive, Reginald Perrin. Written by David Nobbs, it tells the story of Reginald Iolanthe Perrin.
Simply known as Reggie, Perrin was played by Leonard Rossiter. The series follows Reggie as he faces a midlife crisis and decides to fake his own death. He leaves behind his old life and searches for something better. He ends up working on a farm looking after pigs and soon realises that the grass is not always as green on the other side.
His boss, C.J., was played by John Barron. C.J. is the pompous managing director of Sunshine Desserts who sees himself as above all those around him. Whenever he disapproved of or questioned anyone, he would always use his favourite expression:
“I didn’t get where I am today by …”
He would then offer his opinion — a supposedly wiser observation about business or life that questioned the proposition. The humour was in the repetition. C.J. was completely convinced of his own self-importance, while everyone around him either feared him or took no notice.
The phrase was one to use as a joke. As a putdown, it could be adapted to almost any situation.
“Eat your greens.” Mam might chastise me across the dinner table.
“I didn’t get where I am today by eating greens …”
You didn’t even need to finish the sentence. Everyone knew what was coming.
“I’m free!” — Mr Humphries, from the BBC comedy series Are You Being Served?
Another phrase that became part of British popular culture came from the BBC sitcom Are You Being Served? Mr Humphries was played by John Inman. He worked on the menswear counter at the fictional Grace Brothers department store.
His famous cry of “I’m free!” was delivered with a knowing, flamboyant and somewhat camp flourish that raised the inevitable question about Mr Humphries; was the character gay? I can’t remember it ever being mentioned in the series, and Mr Humphries did occasionally mention girlfriends. No answer was given.
There was no doubt that the character of Mr Humphries was camp, though. His reply of “I’m free!” became one of the show’s most recognisable jokes. The character and catchphrase reflected the risqué, innuendo-filled style of British sitcom comedy that followed in the tradition of the Carry On films. It became increasingly popular during the 1970s.
Like many successful catchphrases, “I’m free!” was short enough to be instantly memorable and could be used outside its original context. Someone finished work early? “I’m free!” Someone finally escaped an awkward situation? “I’m free!” It was often delivered in the very same camp way as the character.
It was another example of television giving people a ready-made line to add to everyday conversations.
