⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Five stars for emotional complexity hidden inside a meme.)

According to an interview with Justin Roiland, the co-creator of Rick and Morty, the phrase "Wubba lubba dub dub" was actually inspired by a phrase from the animated series "The Simpsons." In an episode of The Simpsons, a character named Barney Gumble exclaims "Yubba lubba dub dub!" which was meant to mimic the sound of a nonsensical chant.

: The original script for the episode "Meeseeks and Destroy" called for Rick to spin on the floor like Curly from The Three Stooges , yelling "Woob woob woob woob!".

is a catchphrase of the character Rick Sanchez. While it sounds silly or nonsensical, it actually means: “I am in great pain, please help me.”

The phrase is first fully explained in

By later seasons, Rick becomes slightly more self-aware, and the phrase is sometimes used as an inside joke or even a genuine expression of exhaustion.