Despite claims this phrase originated on "The Simpsons", it actually existed long before it was used in the show. The phrase is intended to portray the distortion of facts when passed from person to person.
Its use in "The Simpsons" was accurate; Bart starts a rumour by whispering to one person who whispers it to another, etc. By the time the rumour reaches the front of the crowd, the phrase "Purple monkey dishwasher" has been added to the end due to people mishearing the original rumour as it passed from person to person.
Due to the popularity of "The Simpsons", the phrase has since become a commonly used response to opinions stated based on hearsay and unconfirmed rumours.
Its use in "The Simpsons" was accurate; Bart starts a rumour by whispering to one person who whispers it to another, etc. By the time the rumour reaches the front of the crowd, the phrase "Purple monkey dishwasher" has been added to the end due to people mishearing the original rumour as it passed from person to person.
Due to the popularity of "The Simpsons", the phrase has since become a commonly used response to opinions stated based on hearsay and unconfirmed rumours.
Person A - "I heard from a friend of a friend that John cheated on Linda with Karen!"
Person B - "Purple monkey dishwasher."
Person B - "Purple monkey dishwasher."
by godofodd August 17, 2005
A parody of the game 'telephone' used on an episode of The Simpsons. Instead of an original message becoming jumbled by person to person contact, the message is perfectly repeated at the end...but with the addition of the words "purple monkey dishwasher."
Nora's pregnant with Greg's baby after sleeping firt with Tony, John and Barney...but she's telling Tim it's his due to their fling at Thanksgiving....purple monkey dishwasher.
by Jax Bak January 20, 2010
A nonsense phrase seen widely in an early Simpson's episode. Added at the end of a Chinese whisper, ironically, as there are few if any phrases which can be mistaken for "purple monkey dishwasher". For this reason, it is sometimes used to check if communications are working properly, instead of ie. "testing" "mic check" "test test 1 2 3 check" and/or "syphilis".
by Overheal June 8, 2009
Originating from an episode of the Simpsons (episode 2F19 "The PTA Disbands")
It has taken on a comical nonsensical interjectional use... appropriate as comic relief or as a tension breaker
It has taken on a comical nonsensical interjectional use... appropriate as comic relief or as a tension breaker
by whiskymack July 14, 2004
derived from the simpsons, a term that should now be applied to the end of every game of chinese whispers - broken telephone.
by Duke Alec October 26, 2004
by melissa November 25, 2003
A quick inconspicuous phrase to alert your friends of the pressence of a suspicious looking/acting character.
in other words - 'lets get out of here'
in other words - 'lets get out of here'
Out shopping with friends you notice a stranger eyeing off your handbags but your friends are too distracted to notice....
friend - "do you think this dress will look good with my red heels?"
you - "purple monkey dishwasher!!!!"
friend - "do you think this dress will look good with my red heels?"
you - "purple monkey dishwasher!!!!"
by R'ee July 22, 2006