"Why, I oughta ..."

[Mark Friedman]

I'm trying to nail down the origin(s) of the implied (and usually
benign) threat: "Why, I oughta ...". Some suggestions that I've heard
have been: The Three Stooges, some 30's screwball comedy or some
Bowery Bum movie. I'd appreciate any specific references to uses of
the phrase. Thanks.

-Mark
--
Mark Friedman
Harlequin, Inc.
One Cambridge Center
Cambridge, Ma. 02142

ma...@harlequin.com

[Shawn Levy]

Mark Friedman (ma...@harlqn.co.uk) wrote:
: I'm trying to nail down the origin(s) of the implied (and usually

: benign) threat: "Why, I oughta ...". Some suggestions that I've heard
: have been: The Three Stooges, some 30's screwball comedy or some
: Bowery Bum movie. I'd appreciate any specific references to uses of
: the phrase. Thanks.

You might try the "Little Rascals" shorts: When I hear the phrase I
forever see Edgar Kennedy as a cop or truant officer, pulling a meaty
palm over a contorted visage.

Also, in "Peggy Sue Got Married," the flashback sequences, which were set
in 1960 or so, establish "Why, I oughta..." as a vogue catchphrase of the
moment among the younger set.













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