24 Most Memorable Quotes From ‘Animal House’

Some might not realize just what a big deal Animal House was when it released in 1978. Directed by John Landis and written by Harvard Lampoon alumni Douglas Kenney and Chris Miller, along with future Ghostbuster Harold Ramis, Animal House put a raunchy spin on the classic college cut-up film.

Animal House revitalized the American bro comedy while also solidifying the “snobs vs. slobs” premise, which would continue with Stripes, Caddyshack, Trading Places, and others.

But for those who watched the movie forty years ago, the Animal House lives on with its memorable quotes. Some of the most noteworthy lines can’t be repeated here, but ask any Animal House fan what they think of the movie and these hilarious bits are sure to come up.

1. “Food fight!” — Bluto

When Animal House hit theaters in 1978, John Belushi was the biggest name in the cast, despite having never appeared on film before. But his manic energy made him the standout of Saturday Night Live’s first seasons, giving him a strong following when he joined Animal House.

That reputation gave Belushi leeway to do whatever he wanted, which fit his character, the uncouth Bluto. Bluto’s crowning moment occurred when he declared a food fight in the Faber College dining hall, bringing everyone down to Delta House’s level.

2. “Thank you, sir, may I have another?” — Chip

One of the bigger names to come out of Animal House is Kevin Bacon, who portrayed the haughty Omega House pledge Chip.

Omega House considers itself better than Delta House, but they make their hopefuls sink pretty low to get in. And yet, Chip has no problem embracing the punishment dished out on him if it gets him accepted.

3. “Don’t write this down, but I find Milton probably as boring as you find Milton.” — Professor Jennings

Most of Animal House focuses on the students and their mortal enemy Dean Wormer. Professor Jennings, played by the great Donald Sutherland, stands as the main exception.

After his literature students fail to respond to his lecture on the English poet John Milton, Jennings breaks down and shares his true feelings. Whether this is a true confession or a way to get the attention of a pretty student remains isn’t clear.

4. “What? Over? Did you say ‘over?’ Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?” — Bluto

For most of Animal House, Bluto acts as a force of nature, all excess and no filter. He puts that manic energy to a (sort of) good cause when Dean Wormer suspends the Delta House gang.

Bluto unleashes an inspirational speech, spurring his frat brothers to fight on. Does it make any sense? Of course not! But it’s full of energy, and Bluto has plenty to spare.

5. “I’m a zit. Get it?” — Bluto

Those who weren’t there may not understand the appeal of Bluto, or Belushi in general. After all, Bluto embraces his disgusting, unsanitary id.

The “zit” scene captures the essence of Bluto and Belushi. Rather than acknowledge the arrogance of the Omega House guys and their girlfriends, Bluto doubles down and gets even more gross.

6. “Pledge pin? On your uniform?!” — Neidermeyer

Animal House may have been released in the late 1970s, but it takes place in the mid-60s. That setting adds weight to the threats posed against Delta House and gives stakes to their shenanigans. If they mess up, they may very well go to Vietnam.

Everything involving the uptight military man Neidermeyer (Mark Metcalf), including his death, lets out some of the audience’s pent-up frustration over the war.

7. “The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.” — Dean Wormer

Except for maybe Bluto, Dean Wormer might be the best-cast character in Animal House. John Vernon knows how to play the heavy, with his booming voice and hard gaze.

When Wormer threatens to crush Delta House, no one in the audience doubts that he can and will do it.

8. “Seven years of college down the drain.” — Bluto

There’s a fundamental question running underneath Animal House: if everyone hates college so much, why go?

Bluto’s response to learning about his expulsion provides an answer. They go not to learn or to even make connections. They go to party, even though they still think there’s an endpoint of some type.

9. “I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody’s part.” — Otter

Bluto might get most of the best lines, but Tim Matheson’s Otter is the true protagonist of Animal House. Modern viewers might find Otter a bit hard to root for; after all, he is just as much a handsome jerk as anyone in Omega House.

But Otter works well when he’s embracing his apathy. He expresses that attitude with the above line, which follows Bluto’s rousing, nonsense speech.

10. “Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son” — Dean Wormer

Powerful as John Vernon’s ranting might be, he has more gears as an actor. He uses his sternness through most of the scenes in which he reads off the Delta House members’ pathetic GPAs.

But when he gets to Flounder (Stephen Furst), even Wormer breaks a little. There’s a hint of sadness in his voice when he urges Flounder to try just a little harder.

11. “I anticipate a deeply religious experience.” — Otter

Otter’s gift lies in sarcasm, the uncanny ability to avoid anything serious. That includes his love life, as reflected in the above line, given to Boon (Peter Riegert).

Boon puts all sorts of expectations on Otter’s upcoming tryst with a pretty young lady, prompting the dismissive line. But the line also works to make Otter calm himself down, as he too indulges in some gross details about his plans for the night.

12. “Honestly, Boon, you’re 21 years old. In six months you’re going to graduate, and tomorrow night you’re going to wrap yourself in a bed sheet and pour grain alcohol all over your head. It’s cute, but I think I’ll pass this time.” — Katy

The women don’t get too much to do in Animal House, other than receive harassment from all of the men. Katy, played by the always dazzling Karen Allen, stands as the one exception.

Katy sees value in Boon, but he doesn’t see it in himself. Her put-down doesn’t reject him out of hand, but it does reject the immature lifestyle he’s embraced.

13. “Nice tie. Is that a clip-on by any chance?” — Otter

Even those who like Otter have to admit he’s not the most sympathetic character in the world. That distinction goes to the hapless Flounder, who can’t even get himself a proper tie for a frat open house.

That said, Otter’s withering question may have some condescension to it, but at least he sticks by Flounder through thick and thin.

14. “If you mention extortion again, I’ll have your legs broken.” — Mayor DePasto

Lest anyone think that Animal House reserves its shenanigans to the boys of Delta House, the movie drops in on Dean Wormer’s conversations with the Mayor, played by Cesare Danova.

Mayor DePasto and Dean Wormer might hold reputable positions in the community, but they have the same dynamics as anyone else in Animal House. They’re all just a bunch of bullies trying to get one over on others.

15. “I, state your name…” — Hoover

Played by James Widdoes, Hoover is the one guy who believes in Delta House and tries to make it a functioning fraternity, if not a respected fraternity.

However, he also knows how to roll with the punches, as seen in the induction ceremony. When the pledges repeat everything that he says, including “state your name,” Hoover just keeps on going, welcoming them into the House.

16. “Otter, don’t flatter yourself. It really wasn’t that great.” — Mandy Pepperidge

Although it gives the Delta House lads most of the attention, Animal House doesn’t valorize them either. Later slobs vs. snobs comedies, such as Revenge of the Nerds, will treat its characters like heroes, even when they are reprehensible.

But Animal House dodges that problem by letting others, such as Mandy (Mary Louise Weller) call out the protagonists.

17. “I don’t know. They’re just animals, I guess.” — Otter

There’s a very good reason that Otter got stomped by the Omega House boys. But it’s not a very funny reason.

So when Bluto asks his beat-up brother why they did what they did, Otter’s lackadaisical answer gets the bigger laugh. No need to get into the nasty details, at least not those that would diminish the main character.

18. “They confiscated everything, even the stuff we didn’t steal!” — Hoover

The genius of Hoover comes from his insistence on treating Delta House like any other fraternity. So when his house gets kicked off campus, he’s shocked at the terrible treatment they receive while refusing to acknowledge their own behavior.

Is Hoover oblivious? Or just doing what every other fraternity member does?

19. “Take it easy, I’m in pre-law.” — Otter

Hoover gets worried during Delta House’s first hearing with Dean Wormer, but Otter can’t be bothered. Even when Hoover points out that he’s in pre-med, not pre-law, Otter brushes it off. “What’s the difference?”

Odd as it sounds, that confidence gives Otter the ability to stand up for Delta House, and keep the shenanigans going a bit longer.

20. “Give me a drink.” — Mrs. Wormer

It could be so easy for Animal House to make jokes at the expense of Mrs. Wormer. Not only is she the oldest woman in the film, but she’s also the wife of Delta House’s chief antagonist, Dean Wormer.

But Mrs. Wormer, played by Verna Bloom, is nobody’s fool. Animal House shows her making her own choices, regardless of what others think.

21. “You guys playing cards?” — Flounder

Flounder is the sweetest of the main characters. He’s also the dumbest. But it’s tied to his dumbness.

The two come together in an early scene, in which Flounder poses the above question to a group of guys at a table, each with cards in their hands. The line gets a laugh at Flounder’s expense, but audiences still pull for the kid.

22. “Is he bigger than me?” — Boon

Animal House uses a lot of language that wouldn’t pass muster today. As unpleasant as the words can get, they aren’t always the point of the joke.

Case in point: the exchange with Katy, in which she uses a harsh word to say that she’s dating an idiot. Without missing a beat, or giving the audience a chance to dwell on the word, Boon asks, “Is he bigger than me?”

23. “Senator and Mrs. John Blutarsky, Washington, DC”

Five years before Animal House, George Lucas told his own nostalgic tale of lads having fun with American Graffiti. That movie ended with title cards spelling out the characters’ fates, giving the movie a sense of tragedy.

Animal House parodies that approach with its own title cards, none better than the one declaring Bluto’s future success.

24. “Toga! Toga!” — Bluto

Any kid who happens to watch college movies might think that toga parties happen all the time. After all, they occur in tons of films about college kids having a good time.

On actual college campuses, toga parties don’t happen as much as other types of events. But Bluto calls for togas with such verve, that viewers cannot help but want to participate in one.