Quiz Guy John Chaneski’s puzzle is based on a Twitter thread that involves intentionally misunderstanding the name of the adult cartoon show Rick and Morty. For example, isn’t Rick and Morty what occurs when you die and your body gets all stiff? Oh no, wait that’s…. This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Rick and Morty Word Game”
You’re listening to A Way with Words, the show about language and how we use it.
I’m Martha Barnette.
And I’m Grant Barrett, and here he is from New York City, that handsome fellow, John Chaneski, our quiz guy.
Hi, John.
Hi, thank you, Grant. Hi, Martha.
Hey, what’s up?
Hi. I have a cute little quiz for you today, I think.
Oh, adorable.
I think you’ll like it.
Now, this was inspired by a Twitter thread.
This particular Twitter thread consisted of a whole bunch of people riffing on a single title,
The adult cartoon show Rick and Morty.
You familiar with it?
Oh, yeah.
I saw that thread.
Yeah.
Not necessarily for kids, just FYI.
Right.
I’m going to give you definitions to some of the malapropisms people used for Rick and Morty,
And you guess which ones they are, okay?
Okay.
Okay.
For example, if I said, Rick and Morty, isn’t that when you die and your body gets all stiff?
You would say, no, you’re thinking of…
Rigor mortis.
Rigor mortis.
Rigor mortis, yes.
And we’re off.
Rick and Morty, isn’t that the character Will Ferrell plays in the movie Talladega Nights?
No, you’re thinking of Ricky Bobby.
That’s it, right.
Rick and Morty, doesn’t that refer to the actual physical presence of a business or organization?
No, you’re thinking of brick and mortar.
Oh, yes, that’s it. Very good.
Rick and Morty, isn’t he the guy who sings Live in La Vida Loca?
No, no, no, that’s Ricky Martin.
Oh, right, I’m thinking of Ricky Martin, right.
Rick and Morty, isn’t that a brand of easy-to-prepare side dishes?
No, you’re thinking of Riceroni.
Oh, that’s it.
Yes, the San Francisco treat.
Yes.
Ding, ding.
Rick and Morty, didn’t he play the dad in the movie Honey, I Shrunk the Kids?
No, no.
That’s Rick Moranis, eh?
Oh, right, right.
That’s Rick Moranis, eh?
Yeah.
Rick and Morty, isn’t that the thing where someone tricks you into watching the video
For never going to give you up?
No, that’s Rick rolling.
Oh, yes, yes.
My mistake.
Rick and Morty, isn’t that an adjective meaning expedient and effective but not without flaws?
Oh, no, no, no.
You mean quick and dirty.
That’s it.
Quick and dirty, Rick and Morty.
Same, same, same.
Rick and Morty, isn’t it a children’s rhyme about falling down?
No, that’s Ring Around the Rosie.
Yes, Ring Around the Rosie.
You’re right.
Rick and Morty, isn’t that the Rudyard Kipling story about a mongoose?
No, that’s Mickey Tiki Tavi.
Mickey Tiki Tavi, right.
Finally, Rick and Morty, isn’t that the short comic actor who frequently starred opposite Judy Garland?
No, that’s Ricky.
Mickey Rooney.
Mickey Rooney.
I was going to say Mickey Rooney.
Oh, Mickey Rooney.
That’s my problem.
John, thank you so much.
Thank you, guys.
You were fantastic.
Well, we do a lot of goofing around with language on this show, but we also take your questions about all kinds of aspects of language.
So give us a call, 877-929-9673, or send your questions in email to words@waywordradio.org.
