Homer Simpson’s “D’oh” is trademarked by 20th Century Studios.
Homer Simpson’s famed grunt has been ubiquitous both on the long-running animated series The Simpsons (which debuted in 1989) and in the collective imagination for decades now, with “D’oh!” getting its own Wikipedia article, YouTube compilations, and even a book. Yet not many people know the sound is actually a protected trademark owned by 20th Century Studios. Technically, it’s a sound mark, which the United States Patent and Trademark Office explains “identifies and distinguishes a product or service through audio rather than visual means” and "create[s] in the hearer’s mind an association” between a sound and a good or service. 20th Century Studios filed papers to trademark the sound (registration number: 3411881) in July 2001. Other examples of sound marks include the noise Darth Vader makes while breathing and that instantly recognizable Law and Order “chung chung” sound effect.
Homer's utterance is hardly the only iconic Simpsons catchphrase — “¡Ay, caramba!” and “Okily dokily!” come to mind as well — but “D’oh!” may be the most enduring. The channel TV Land placed it sixth on a list of the 100 greatest quotes and catchphrases in television history, ahead of such heavyweights as Fred Flintstone’s “Yabba dabba do!” and Seinfeld’s “No soup for you!” It also isn’t going anywhere any time soon: Although some fans may believe the show’s Golden Age has long since passed, The Simpsons has already been renewed for a 34th season.
What state do the Simpsons live in? According to one chalkboard gag, “The true location of Springfield is in any state but yours.” Despite creator Matt Groening once saying that the town was partially based on Springfield, Oregon, the show itself has made a joke of never revealing its actual location. There have been clues along the way, most of which contradict each other, but it’s likely that there will never be a definite answer. “I don't want to ruin it for people, you know?” Groening has said of the phenomenon. “Whenever people say it's Springfield, Ohio, or Springfield, Massachusetts, or Springfield, wherever, I always go, ‘Yup, that's right.’”
