Martoonies: Definition, Meaning, and Origin

Last Updated on
August 28, 2023

"Martoonies" is a humorous way of saying "too many martinis," an alcoholic cocktail made with gin and vermouth. The phrase is meant to sound like it was pronounced by a drunk person who slurs their words and mixes up the letters.

In short:

  • It is a humorous misstatement of "martinis," an alcoholic drink.
  • It is used to imply that someone has had too much alcohol and is drunk.

What Does "Martoonies" Mean?

The word "martoonies" is a deliberate distortion of "martinis," intended to mimic the speech of a drunk person who cannot pronounce the word correctly. It is an example of spoonerism, a type of wordplay involving swapping the initial sounds or letters of two words in a phrase.

Where Does "Martoonies" Come From?

The origin of the idiom "martoonies" is unknown, but it likely emerged in the mid-20th century, when martinis were very popular and widely consumed in America. It gained exposure and popularity in the 1970s and 1980s when several comedians and celebrities used it as part of their stand-up routines or impersonations of drunk people.

10 Examples of "Martoonies" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how to use the idiom "martoonies" in different sentences:

  • I think you've had enough, buddy. You've had too many martoonies, and you can barely stand up.
  • Yoink! She was slurring her words and stumbling around. She must have had martoonies at the party.
  • Never mind. She's just had too many martoonies, and she's talking nonsense.
  • About last night, I don't remember anything. I must have had too many martoonies and blacked out.
  • Let's go downtown and have some martoonies! It's been a long week, and we deserve some fun.
  • She loves making martoonies for her guests. She has a hidden gem of a recipe she learned from her father.
  • How many martoonies did you have? It seems like you're about to pass out.
  • He just failed his exam. He blamed his poor performance on the martoonies he had the night before.
  • Get a life! You shouldn't waste your life drinking martoonies day in and day out.
  • He always says he doesn't drink, but I saw him with a glass of martoonies.

Examples of "Martoonies" in Pop Culture

Here are some examples of how the idiom "martoonies" has been featured or referenced in pop culture:

  • In the 1988 comedy film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, Martin's character, Freddy Benson, uses the phrase "tee many martoonies" to pretend he is drunk and trick a wealthy woman into giving him money.
  • In the 1997 action film Face/Off, starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage, Cage's character Castor Troy says, "tee many martoonies" to mock Travolta's character Sean Archer, who is posing as him after undergoing a face transplant surgery.
  • In the 1992 animated series The Simpsons, in the episode "Homer Alone," Homer Simpson says, "Too many martoonies" to a bartender who asks him if he is drunk after he falls off his stool.
  • In the 1978 sitcom Mork & Mindy, starring Robin Williams and Pam Dawber, Williams' character Mork, an alien who comes to Earth to study human behavior, often uses the phrase "tee many martoonies" to imitate human speech and humor.

Other Ways to Say "Martoonies"

The idiom "martoonies" is a humorous and informal way of saying "martinis," but there are other ways to express the same idea.

Here are some examples:

  • Booze
  • Cocktails
  • Gin and vermouth
  • Hooch
  • Libations
  • Liquor
  • Spirits
  • Tipple

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Martoonies"

Here are some common questions and answers about the idiom "martoonies":

  • What does "martoonies" mean?

"Martoonies" is a humorous way of saying "too many martinis," an alcoholic cocktail made with gin and vermouth. The phrase is meant to sound like it was pronounced by a drunk person who slurs their words and mixes up the letters.

  • What is the origin of "martoonies"?

The origin of the idiom "martoonies" is unknown, but it likely emerged in the mid-20th century, when martinis were very popular and widely consumed in America.

  • What are some synonyms or alternatives for the idiom "martoonies"?

Some synonyms or alternatives for the idiom "martoonies" are "too many cocktails," "one too many," "tipsy," "buzzed," "wasted," "hammered," "plastered," or "sloshed."

  • How do you use the idiom "martoonies" in a sentence?

The idiom "martoonies" usually implies that someone is not sober or makes fun of their drunken speech.

Example: He's had "tee many martoonies" he can't even walk straight.

  • Is the idiom "martoonies" offensive or rude?

The idiom "martoonies" is not meant to be offensive or rude but playful and humorous. However, some people may find it insensitive or inappropriate to joke about alcoholism or intoxication, so you should be careful when using it in certain situations or with certain people.

  • What are some other idioms related to alcohol or drinking?

Some other idioms related to alcohol or drinking are "drink like a fish," which means to drink a lot of alcohol; "hair of the dog," which means to drink more alcohol to cure a hangover; "on the wagon," which means to stop drinking alcohol; and "under the table," which means to be very drunk.

  • How do you make a martini?

A martini is a cocktail made with gin and vermouth, usually garnished with an olive or a lemon twist. Different variations of martinis exist, such as dry, wet, dirty, perfect, shaken, stirred, etc. The basic recipe for a classic martini is to fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add 2 oz of gin and 1/2 oz of dry vermouth, shake well, and strain into a chilled martini glass. Then, add an olive or a lemon twist as desired.

  • What are some antonyms or opposites for the idiom "martoonies"?

Some antonyms or opposites for the idiom "martoonies" in the context of being intoxicated are "sober," "clear-headed," "straight," "dry," or "teetotal."

  • What is the difference between a dry martini and a dirty martini?

A dry martini is a type of martini that has less vermouth and more gin, making it stronger and less sweet. A dirty martini is a type of martini that has olive juice or brine added to it, giving it a salty and cloudy appearance. Depending on your preference, two kinds of martinis can be made with gin or vodka.

  • What are some famous quotes about martinis?

"I never go jogging, it makes me spill my martini." - George Burns, American comedian and actor.

Final Thoughts About "Martoonies"

The idiom "martoonies" is a funny and playful way of saying "martinis," a type of alcoholic drink that has become a classic and iconic cocktail in American culture. The phrase is often used for comic effects or to create puns.

In summary:

  • It is a humorous misstatement of "martinis."
  • It is an example of spoonerism, which is a type of wordplay.
  • Various comedians and celebrities have used it.
  • It has some variations and related expressions.

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