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What Does the Catchphrase 'Wubba Lubba Dub Dub' Mean in 'Rick and Morty'? It Sounds Funny, but the Translation Is Depressing

Justin Roiland

We have Birdperson to thank for the explanation.

Of all Rick Sanchez’s catchphrases in Rick and Morty, the most iconic, outrageous, and seemingly nonsensical is undoubtedly 'Wubba Lubba Dub-Dub'.

The absurd gibberish perfectly reflects Rick himself—a mad genius capable of switching from existential rants to dancing to alien pop in a matter of minutes. At first glance, it sounds like Hakuna Matata: carefree, fun, basically a party slogan for the multiverse. But… surprise! The phrase 'Wubba Lubba Dub-Dub' actually means:

"I am in great pain, please help me" — that’s the translation from Birdperson’s language, a close friend of Rick’s.

Rick and Morty

So every time he cheerfully shouts his trademark phrase, he’s actually crying out in pain, loneliness, and emotional turmoil. He just hides it behind the mask of a manic jokester.

And there it is — a silly, danceable phrase that turns out to be a cry for help. Arguably, that’s the essence of Rick Sanchez in a single sentence.

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