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- The Simpsons: Steamed Hams
The Simpsons: Steamed Hams
Key Words, Phrases, and Jokes Explained
"Egads!": An old-fashioned exclamation of surprise or dismay, used humorously to highlight Skinner's panic.
"Delightfully devilish, Seymour.": Chalmers admires Skinner's clever but deceptive plan to pass off fast food as his own cooking, setting up the humor of Skinner's absurd lies.
"Skinner with his crazy explanations, the superintendent's gonna need his medication.": A parody of sitcom theme songs, describing Skinner's tendency to make up elaborate stories and Chalmers's frustration with him.
"Isometric exercise": A type of strength training exercise. Skinner claims he's doing this to explain why he's at the window, adding to the absurdity.
"Steam from the steamed clams": Skinner lies about the smoke, claiming it's steam from the "steamed clams" to cover up his ruined roast and avoid suspicion.
"I said steamed hams. That's what I call hamburgers.": Skinner improvises a lie to explain why he's serving hamburgers instead of clams, creating the running gag of "steamed hams."
"It's a regional dialect.": Skinner continues to fabricate an explanation, claiming "steamed hams" is a local term, which leads to more comedic questioning.
"I'm from Utica, and I've never heard anyone use the phrase 'steamed hams.'": Chalmers points out the inconsistency in Skinner's lie, increasing the humor as Skinner scrambles to maintain his story.
"Aurora borealis": Skinner claims the northern lights are responsible for the fire in his kitchen, an absurd and obviously false explanation that Chalmers humorously questions.
"Localized entirely within your kitchen?": Chalmers's incredulous response highlights the absurdity of Skinner's lie, contributing to the scene's comedic tension.
"Well, Seymour, you are an odd fellow, but I must say you steam a good ham.": Chalmers acknowledges Skinner's eccentricity but gives him a backhanded compliment, wrapping up the scene with a final joke about the "steamed hams."
Full Transcript
Chalmers: Well, Seymour, I made it - despite your directions.
Skinner: Ah. Superintendent Chalmers. Welcome. I hope you're prepared for an unforgettable luncheon.
Chalmers: Yeah. Oh, egads! My roast is ruined. But what if I were to purchase fast food and disguise it as my own cooking? Delightfully devilish, Seymour.
(Singing) Chorus: Skinner with his crazy explanations, the superintendent's gonna need his medication. When he hears Skinner's lame exaggerations, there'll be trouble in town tonight.
Chalmers: Seymour!
Skinner: Superintendent, I was just- uh, just stretching my calves on the windowsill. Isometric exercise. Care to join me?
Chalmers: Why is there smoke coming out of your oven, Seymour?
Skinner: Uh- Oh. That isn't smoke. It's steam. Steam from the steamed clams we're having.
Chalmers: Mmm. Steamed clams.
Skinner: Superintendent, I hope you're ready for mouthwatering hamburgers.
Chalmers: I thought we were having steamed clams.
Skinner: D'oh, no. I said steamed hams. That's what I call hamburgers.
Chalmers: You call hamburgers steamed hams?
Skinner: Yes. It's a regional dialect.
Chalmers: Uh-huh. Uh, what region?
Skinner: Uh, upstate New York.
Chalmers: Really. Well, I'm from Utica, and I've never heard anyone use the phrase "steamed hams."
Skinner: Oh, not in Utica. No. It's an Albany expression.
Chalmers: I see. You know, these hamburgers are quite similar to the ones they have at Krusty Burger.
Skinner: Oh, no. Patented Skinner burgers. Old family recipe.
Chalmers: For steamed hams.
Skinner: Yes.
Chalmers: Yes. And you call them steamed hams despite the fact that they are obviously grilled.
Skinner: Ye- You know, the- One thing I should- Excuse me for one second.
Chalmers: Of course.
Skinner: Well, that was wonderful. A good time was had by all. I'm pooped.
Chalmers: Yes. I should be- Good Lord! What is happening in there?
Skinner: Aurora borealis.
Chalmers: Uh- Aurora borealis at this time of year, at this time of day, in this part of the country, localized entirely within your kitchen?
Skinner: Yes.
Chalmers: May I see it?
Skinner: No.
Agnes: Seymour! The house is on fire!
Skinner: No, Mother. It's just the northern lights.
Chalmers: Well, Seymour, you are an odd fellow, but I must say you steam a good ham.