Where's the beef?

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Where's the beef?

Where's the beef? is a catchphrase in the United States and Canada, introduced as a slogan for the fast food chain Wendy's in 1984. The phrase has since become an all-purpose phrase questioning the substance of an idea, event, or product.

Origin

The phrase originated from a Wendy's television commercial directed by Joe Sedelmaier. The ad featured three elderly women examining an exaggeratedly large hamburger bun topped with a minuscule hamburger patty. The character Clara Peller then utters the now-famous line, "Where's the beef?" The commercial was meant to highlight the larger beef patties used by Wendy's compared to its competitors, McDonald's and Burger King.

Cultural Impact

"Where's the beef?" quickly entered the popular culture lexicon. It was used in various contexts beyond its original commercial intent, often to question the substance or authenticity of a product or idea. The phrase was notably used during the 1984 United States presidential election by Walter Mondale to criticize his opponent, Gary Hart, for lacking substance in his policy proposals.

Legacy

The catchphrase remains a part of American and Canadian culture, often referenced in media and everyday conversation. It has been parodied and referenced in numerous television shows, movies, and other forms of media. The phrase has also been used in political discourse to question the validity or depth of an opponent's arguments.

See Also

• Wendy's
• Clara Peller
• 1984 United States presidential election
• Advertising slogans
• Popular culture