The Big Bang Theory has yielded some memorable and noteworthy quotes over its 12 seasons. From funny to sad, from tragic to uplifting, every character has had their fair share of iconic quotes. Yet, despite all of the amazing quotes from the show, there are still some that stand out above the rest.
The following quotes were not only humorous and charming but telling of each of the main character's stories and personalities. Even after the show's conclusion, these quotes remain a testament to the show's popularity and originality.
8 Stuart: "Hot girl, 9 o'clock. Don't everybody look at once."
Towards the beginning of "The Good Guy Fluctuation," season 5 episode 7, an attractive girl comes into Stuart's comic book store; Stuart immediately alerts the others to look, though not all at the same time. He then proceeds to go and talk to the girl but utterly fails, not even mustering the courage to say a single sentence before walking away in shame.
Although Stuart became a full-time character in the later seasons, his earlier appearances were still full of cringes and fun. He's not exactly the same type of nerd as the others, so it's even more hilarious when he tries to talk to women. He's somehow both confident and shy at the same time. The quote neatly sums up Stuart's life and character all in two sentences; he's an outsider even amongst the nerds.
7 Bernadette: "Want him to stop? Sometimes the easiest thing to do is just fake a laugh."
In "The Hesitation Ramification," season 7 episode 12, Sheldon attempts to study the science of humor in the hopes of becoming conventionally funny. Amy decides to help him out but soon becomes exhausted. Meeting Bernadette and Howard at a restaurant, Bernadette tells Amy that the best way to resolve the issue is to fake laugh at one of Sheldon's jokes. Howard then asks if Bernadette has ever faked laughed at his jokes, to which she responds with a gargantuanly sarcastic fake laugh.
Bernadette understands how to deal with Howard, unlike most women, and knows what it takes to keep him in check, even at the cost of a little deceit. A hilarious scene that showcases Bernadette's unusual relationship with her husband.
6 Amy: "Are you saying you want to spank me?"
No quote is more representative of a Big Bang character than this one. It's brilliant. Amy isn't exactly the innocent nerdy scientist she comes off as. No, she's an intelligent woman who has a carnal longing for Sheldon. As seen in episode 10 of season 6 titled "The Fish Guts Displacement," Amy, who is initially sick, pretends to be ill in order to gain Sheldon's attention and care.
She juices it until finally coming clean to Sheldon. Sheldon responds by disciplining her with a couple of spanks, to which she accepts and subsequently enjoys. It's a hilarious scene and the quote speaks for itself.
5 Leonard: "What about if you went out with me?"
Everything was building up to this one moment for Leonard. He's been eyeing Penny since the beginning of the show and now he finally has his chance to ask her out. Willing to risk it all, he asks Penny to go out with him for the first time during the "The Tangerine Factor," the season 1 finale.
This quote quite literally changed the trajectory of the character and the show, both for the better. It's an impactful question since it not only showcased Leonard's development within the first season but revealed one of the more important and lasting elements of the series. Despite all his problems, Leonard is a nice guy who wants to turn a new leaf with Penny.
4 Howard: "Just for the record, we're (Howard and Raj) not in an ersatz homosexual relationship."
Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz is an absolute boon and this quote demonstrates exactly why. While the gang is talking to Beverly Hofstadter, Leonard's mom, in "The Maternal Capacitance" from episode 15 of season 2, Leonard reveals to his mom that Howard still lives with his mother and that Raj has selective mutism. Beverly's prognosis is Raj and Howard have created a relationship with one another to satisfy their needs for intimacy.
No other quote can quite sum up Howard's character as well as this one. It's funny, it's about sexuality, and it connects to Raj. It's a great Howard quote that gives audiences what they want most from the character.
3 Raj: "Go Away. She wants New Delhi not Kosher Deli."
In season 3 episode 21, "The Plimpton Stimulation," Dr. Plimpton visits the gang and attempts to engage in some rather intimate activities with them. She visits Raj's apartment but before anything can happen Howard, and later Leonard, come over for Halo night. Expressing his discontent with Howard's arrival, Raj tells him that Dr. Plimpton prefers Raj, the Indian foreigner, and not Howard, the Jewish kid.
Raj delivers this line perfectly; it's an excellent quote that demonstrates Raj's quick wits and comfort being the foreigner in their group of friends. A play on words is always a worthy laugh, especially if it seamlessly fits into the situation. Raj does like to talk about his ethnicity while Howard's religion is a very definitive aspect of his character. It's a brilliant line that was finely delivered.
2 Penny: "Leonard and Howard and Raj...they aren't like other guys. They're special."
This quote was a heartwarming instance that revealed Penny's true feelings about the guys early on in the series. Although she rarely ever says it, this quote is one of the few aberrations, Penny enjoys hanging out with her nerdy neighbors and their friends. Leonard and the gang are different and it's a breath of fresh air for her. They keep one another in check.
Penny says this to Alicia, Sheldon and Leonard's attractive new upstairs neighbor, in "The Dead Hooker Juxtaposition" from episode 19 of season 2. After seeing Alicia take advantage of the guys, Penny speaks up after noticing how similar she used to treat the gang. This then leads into a physical altercation between the two. A great quote that helped to further develop Penny's character.
1 Sheldon: "I'm not insane/crazy. My mother had me tested."
This quote is funny but somehow also tragic at the same time. Sheldon's always been the different one in his life, even amongst friends. To outsiders, and even insiders, he can come across as a bit eccentric, which many people mistake for insanity. But that's what makes him so lovable. Nobody truly understands him and yet he tries to assure them that he's semi-normal like the rest of the nerds, geeks, and physicists around.
The quote itself has two variations, one where people call him crazy and the other where they call him insane. Sheldon also says this line throughout various episodes scattered across the shows many seasons.