‘Eat My Shorts’: How Bart Simpson’s Controversial Catchphrase Sparked a Pop Culture Sensation

This phrase, essentially a cheeky version of "kiss my ass," became an iconic part of Bart’s persona. The line was originally ad-libbed by Nancy Cartwright, the voice actor behind Bart, who recalled the phrase from her high school marching band days in the 1970s. It was a chant her band would sometimes use, substituting it for “Fairmont West.”

Though "Eat my shorts" had appeared in other media before, such as in "The Breakfast Club," "Maximum Overdrive," and "Body Heat," it was "The Simpsons" that truly popularized it. The show’s marketing team capitalized on this by plastering the catchphrase on a wide array of merchandise, from t-shirts to breakfast cereal.

The reaction to the bans was mixed. Some educators believed that ignoring the controversy would reduce its impact. Stan Rachowicz, a counselor at McKinley Junior High in South Holland, Michigan, suggested that by not drawing attention to the issue, it might simply fade away. Similarly, Barbara Hall from Brookwood Junior High in Glenwood, Illinois, argued that the publicity surrounding the bans might actually encourage more students to wear the controversial apparel.

The widespread popularity of Bart Simpson merchandise wasn’t without controversy. In the 1990s, schools across the United States began to ban apparel featuring Bart Simpson and his catchphrases. Administrators deemed shirts emblazoned with slogans like “Eat my shorts,” “I’m Bart Simpson. Who the hell are you?,” and “Underachiever and proud of it” as disrespectful and distracting.

A principal from Fremont, Ohio, articulated the concerns of many educators by stating that the show promoted values contrary to the ideals of striving for excellence and instilling good behavior in students.

The bans extended to major retailers, with JCPenney pulling Simpsons-themed clothing from their shelves in response to the backlash. Despite this, the controversy only fueled the popularity of the merchandise, leading to an estimated 15 million Simpsons shirts being sold in 1990 alone.