Heavens to murgatriod

Posted by ESC on November 19, 2005

In Reply to: Heavens to murgatriod posted by Blake on November 19, 2005

: What is the meaning of the phrase heavens to murgatriod

It is a mild oath or expression of surprise. Along the lines of "Oh, my goodness." It is also the catchphrase of a cartoon character, Snagglepuss.

From a previous discussion:

One person thought "Murgatroid" was used because it sounded like a snooty upper-class name.

"The character of Snagglepuss originally appeared in 1959 as a minor character on episodes of Quick Draw McGraw, Augie Doggie, and Snooper & Blabber (this episode introduced Snagglepuss's nemesis the master hunter Major Minor). The character proved to have such appeal that he was given his own segment on The Yogi Bear Show when it premiered in 1961. Snagglepuss's favorite sayings were 'Exit stage left' and 'Heavens to Murgatroid.' In the '70s and '80s Snagglepuss appeared with other Hanna-Barbera stars on shows like Yogi's Gang , Scooby's All-Star Laff-A-Lympics (1977-1979), and Yogi's Treasure Hunt (1985-1988). Snagglepuss's voice was also borrowed for the character of The Funky Phantom . Snagglepuss's memorable voice was provided by supreme voice artist, Daws Butler (Butler was Hanna-Barbera's most prolific actor, providing the voices of Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Dixie, Mr. Jinks, Quick Draw, Baba Looey, Snuffles the dog, Augie Doggie, Peter Potamus, Wally Gator, Hokey Wolf, Snooper, and Blabber, as well as providing the voice of Cap'N Crunch for Jay Ward."

members.aol.com/ PaulEC2/Snagglepuss.html Accessed Nov. 19, 2005.