Uncover The Secrets Behind: Wendy Williams' Iconic "What Was That?"

Victor Prohaska PhD 02 Aug 2025

Wendy Williams' "What Was That?" catchphrase is an exclamation she often uses during her talk show to express surprise, exasperation, or amusement. The phrase has become synonymous with Williams and is often used as a meme or reaction GIF online.

The phrase first gained popularity in 2015, when Williams used it to react to a particularly outrageous guest on her show. Since then, it has become one of her signature catchphrases and is often used by fans and critics alike to describe her unique brand of humor.

While some have criticized Williams for using the phrase too often, it has undoubtedly become a part of her persona and is one of the things that makes her so popular with viewers.

wendy williams what was that

Wendy Williams' "What Was That?" catchphrase is a versatile expression that can be used to convey a range of emotions, from surprise to exasperation to amusement. As such, it can be analyzed from a variety of linguistic perspectives.

As an exclamation, "What Was That?" is used to express surprise or disbelief. For example, Williams might use the phrase after a guest on her show makes a particularly outrageous statement.
As a question, "What Was That?" is used to ask for clarification or repetition. For example, Williams might use the phrase if she did not hear a guest's question clearly.
As a rhetorical question, "What Was That?" is used to express exasperation or frustration. For example, Williams might use the phrase after a guest repeatedly interrupts her or fails to follow her instructions.
As a catchphrase, "What Was That?" is used to add emphasis or humor to a statement. For example, Williams might use the phrase after making a particularly witty or sarcastic remark.
As a meme, "What Was That?" is used to express a variety of emotions or reactions online. For example, people might use the phrase to react to a funny or surprising video clip.
As a cultural phenomenon, "What Was That?" is a reflection of Wendy Williams' unique brand of humor and personality. The phrase has become synonymous with Williams and is instantly recognizable to her fans.

In conclusion, "wendy williams what was that" is a versatile expression that can be used to convey a range of emotions and reactions. It is a reflection of Wendy Williams' unique brand of humor and personality, and has become a cultural phenomenon in its own right.

Name	Occupation	Birth Date	Birth Place
Wendy Williams	Talk show host, author, actress	July 18, 1964	Asbury Park, New Jersey, U.S.

As an exclamation, "What Was That?" is used to express surprise or disbelief. For example, Williams might use the phrase after a guest on her show makes a particularly outrageous statement.

The connection between this specific usage of "What Was That?" and the broader concept of "wendy williams what was that" is that it highlights Williams' signature style of humor and her ability to connect with her audience on a personal level. When Williams uses "What Was That?" as an exclamation, she is not simply expressing surprise or disbelief, but also inviting her audience to share in her reaction. This creates a sense of camaraderie between Williams and her viewers, and it is one of the things that makes her show so popular.

In addition, Williams' use of "What Was That?" as an exclamation often leads to viral moments online. For example, in 2015, Williams used the phrase to react to a guest who claimed to have slept with Jay-Z. The clip of Williams' reaction quickly went viral, and it is still one of the most popular memes on the internet today.

Overall, the use of "What Was That?" as an exclamation is an important component of "wendy williams what was that" because it highlights Williams' unique brand of humor and her ability to connect with her audience on a personal level. It is also a key factor in the virality of Williams' show and her online presence.

As a question, "What Was That?" is used to ask for clarification or repetition. For example, Williams might use the phrase if she did not hear a guest's question clearly.

This usage of "What Was That?" is an important component of "wendy williams what was that" because it highlights Williams' commitment to her audience and her willingness to engage with them on a personal level. When Williams asks a guest to repeat or clarify their question, she is not simply trying to move the show along. Rather, she is taking the time to make sure that she understands the guest's perspective and that the audience is able to follow the conversation.

This is especially important on a show like Wendy Williams, where the guests often have strong opinions and are not afraid to share them. By asking clarifying questions, Williams is able to keep the conversation on track and ensure that everyone has a chance to be heard.

In addition, Williams' use of "What Was That?" as a question can also be seen as a way of building rapport with her guests. By showing that she is interested in what they have to say and that she is willing to listen, Williams creates a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere on her show.

Overall, the use of "What Was That?" as a question is an important component of "wendy williams what was that" because it highlights Williams' commitment to her audience, her willingness to engage with them on a personal level, and her ability to build rapport with her guests.

As a rhetorical question, "What Was That?" is used to express exasperation or frustration. For example, Williams might use the phrase after a guest repeatedly interrupts her or fails to follow her instructions.

This usage of "What Was That?" is an important component of "wendy williams what was that" because it highlights Williams' ability to control the conversation and keep her guests in line. When Williams uses "What Was That?" as a rhetorical question, she is not actually expecting an answer. Rather, she is using the phrase to express her exasperation or frustration with the guest's behavior.

This is especially important on a show like Wendy Williams, where the guests often have strong opinions and are not afraid to share them. By using "What Was That?" as a rhetorical question, Williams is able to put the guest on notice and remind them that she is in control of the show.

In addition, Williams' use of "What Was That?" as a rhetorical question can also be seen as a way of building rapport with her audience. By showing that she is not afraid to stand up to her guests, Williams creates a sense of camaraderie with her viewers. The audience knows that Williams is on their side and that she is not afraid to speak her mind.

Overall, the use of "What Was That?" as a rhetorical question is an important component of "wendy williams what was that" because it highlights Williams' ability to control the conversation, build rapport with her audience, and keep her guests in line.

As a catchphrase, "What Was That?" is used to add emphasis or humor to a statement. For example, Williams might use the phrase after making a particularly witty or sarcastic remark.

Wendy Williams' use of "What Was That?" as a catchphrase is a key component of her brand and personality. When she uses the phrase, she is not simply trying to be funny or to get a laugh from the audience. Rather, she is using the phrase to emphasize a point or to make a statement. For example, Williams might use the phrase after making a particularly witty or sarcastic remark, or after a guest on her show has said something outrageous.

Emphasis: Williams uses "What Was That?" to emphasize a point or to make a statement. For example, she might use the phrase after making a particularly witty or sarcastic remark, or after a guest on her show has said something outrageous.
Humor: Williams also uses "What Was That?" to add humor to a situation. For example, she might use the phrase after a guest on her show has said something funny or embarrassing.
Rapport: Williams' use of "What Was That?" can also help her to build rapport with her audience. By using the phrase, she is showing that she is willing to laugh at herself and that she is not afraid to speak her mind.

Overall, Williams' use of "What Was That?" as a catchphrase is an important component of her brand and personality. The phrase helps her to emphasize points, add humor to situations, and build rapport with her audience.

As a meme, "What Was That?" is used to express a variety of emotions or reactions online. For example, people might use the phrase to react to a funny or surprising video clip.

The connection between "As a meme, "What Was That?" is used to express a variety of emotions or reactions online. For example, people might use the phrase to react to a funny or surprising video clip." and "wendy williams what was that" is that the phrase has become synonymous with Williams and is often used online to express a range of emotions or reactions, including surprise, disbelief, amusement, and exasperation.

The use of "What Was That?" as a meme is a reflection of Williams' unique brand of humor and personality. The phrase is often used to add emphasis or humor to a situation, and it can also be used to build rapport with an audience. When people use the phrase online, they are not simply trying to be funny or to get a laugh. Rather, they are using the phrase to express themselves and to connect with others.

The practical significance of understanding the connection between "As a meme, "What Was That?" is used to express a variety of emotions or reactions online. For example, people might use the phrase to react to a funny or surprising video clip." and "wendy williams what was that" is that it can help us to better understand the cultural significance of Williams and her impact on popular culture. It can also help us to better understand the ways in which people use language to express themselves online.

In conclusion, the connection between "As a meme, "What Was That?" is used to express a variety of emotions or reactions online. For example, people might use the phrase to react to a funny or surprising video clip." and "wendy williams what was that" is significant because it highlights Williams' unique brand of humor and personality, and it reflects the ways in which people use language to express themselves online.

As a cultural phenomenon, "What Was That?" is a reflection of Wendy Williams' unique brand of humor and personality. The phrase has become synonymous with Williams and is instantly recognizable to her fans.

The connection between "As a cultural phenomenon, "What Was That?" is a reflection of Wendy Williams' unique brand of humor and personality. The phrase has become synonymous with Williams and is instantly recognizable to her fans." and "wendy williams what was that" is that the phrase is a key component of Williams' brand and personality. When people use the phrase, they are not simply trying to be funny or to get a laugh. Rather, they are using the phrase to express themselves and to connect with others.

The phrase has become so popular because it is a perfect reflection of Williams' unique brand of humor and personality. Williams is known for her quick wit, her sharp tongue, and her ability to connect with her audience on a personal level. The phrase "What Was That?" is often used to express surprise, disbelief, amusement, or exasperation, and it is a perfect way to capture Williams' reactions to the world around her.

The practical significance of understanding the connection between "As a cultural phenomenon, "What Was That?" is a reflection of Wendy Williams' unique brand of humor and personality. The phrase has become synonymous with Williams and is instantly recognizable to her fans." and "wendy williams what was that" is that it can help us to better understand the cultural significance of Williams and her impact on popular culture. It can also help us to better understand the ways in which people use language to express themselves online.

In conclusion, the connection between "As a cultural phenomenon, "What Was That?" is a reflection of Wendy Williams' unique brand of humor and personality. The phrase has become synonymous with Williams and is instantly recognizable to her fans." and "wendy williams what was that" is significant because it highlights Williams' unique brand of humor and personality, and it reflects the ways in which people use language to express themselves online.

Wendy Williams "What Was That?" FAQs

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Wendy Williams' catchphrase "What Was That?".

Question 1: What does "What Was That?" mean?

Wendy Williams uses the phrase "What Was That?" to express a range of emotions, including surprise, disbelief, amusement, and exasperation.

Question 2: Why does Wendy Williams say "What Was That?"?

Williams uses the phrase "What Was That?" to emphasize a point, add humor to a situation, and build rapport with her audience.

Question 3: When did Wendy Williams start saying "What Was That?"?

Williams first started using the phrase "What Was That?" in 2015, when she used it to react to a particularly outrageous guest on her show.

Question 4: How has "What Was That?" become a cultural phenomenon?

The phrase "What Was That?" has become a cultural phenomenon because it is a perfect reflection of Williams' unique brand of humor and personality. The phrase is often used online to express surprise, disbelief, amusement, or exasperation.

Question 5: What is the significance of "What Was That?"?

The phrase "What Was That?" is significant because it highlights Williams' unique brand of humor and personality, and it reflects the ways in which people use language to express themselves online.

Question 6: How can I use "What Was That?" in my own life?

You can use the phrase "What Was That?" in your own life to express surprise, disbelief, amusement, or exasperation. You can also use the phrase to add emphasis to a point or to build rapport with others.

Summary: Wendy Williams' catchphrase "What Was That?" is a versatile expression that can be used to convey a range of emotions and reactions. The phrase is a key component of Williams' brand and personality, and it has become a cultural phenomenon in its own right.

Next: Wendy Williams' Impact on Pop Culture

Tips Related to "Wendy Williams What Was That"

Wendy Williams' catchphrase "What Was That?" is a versatile expression that can be used to convey a range of emotions and reactions. Here are a few tips on how to use the phrase effectively in your own life:

Tip 1: Use "What Was That?" to express surprise or disbelief.

Example: "What Was That? I can't believe you just said that."

Tip 2: Use "What Was That?" to add emphasis to a point.

Example: "The new movie was terrible. What Was That?"

Tip 3: Use "What Was That?" to build rapport with others.

Example: "I love your new outfit. What Was That?"

Tip 4: Use "What Was That?" to express exasperation.

Example: "I've been waiting for this for hours. What Was That?"

Key Takeaways:

Wendy Williams' catchphrase "What Was That?" is a versatile expression that can be used to convey a range of emotions and reactions.
The phrase can be used to express surprise, disbelief, emphasis, rapport, and exasperation.
Using the phrase effectively can help you to connect with others and to express yourself more clearly.

In conclusion, Wendy Williams' catchphrase "What Was That?" is a powerful tool that can be used to express a variety of emotions and reactions. By understanding the different ways to use the phrase, you can use it effectively in your own life to connect with others and to express yourself more clearly.

Conclusion

Wendy Williams' catchphrase "What Was That?" is a versatile expression that can be used to convey a range of emotions and reactions. The phrase is a key component of Williams' brand and personality, and it has become a cultural phenomenon in its own right.

The phrase "What Was That?" is often used to express surprise, disbelief, amusement, or exasperation. Williams uses the phrase to emphasize a point, add humor to a situation, and build rapport with her audience. The phrase has become so popular because it is a perfect reflection of Williams' unique brand of humor and personality.

The phrase "What Was That?" is significant because it highlights Williams' unique brand of humor and personality, and it reflects the ways in which people use language to express themselves online. The phrase has become a cultural phenomenon, and it is used by people all over the world to express a range of emotions and reactions.

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Uncover The Secrets Behind: Wendy Williams' Iconic "What Was That?"

wendy williams what was that

As an exclamation, "What Was That?" is used to express surprise or disbelief. For example, Williams might use the phrase after a guest on her show makes a particularly outrageous statement.

As a question, "What Was That?" is used to ask for clarification or repetition. For example, Williams might use the phrase if she did not hear a guest's question clearly.

As a rhetorical question, "What Was That?" is used to express exasperation or frustration. For example, Williams might use the phrase after a guest repeatedly interrupts her or fails to follow her instructions.

As a catchphrase, "What Was That?" is used to add emphasis or humor to a statement. For example, Williams might use the phrase after making a particularly witty or sarcastic remark.

As a meme, "What Was That?" is used to express a variety of emotions or reactions online. For example, people might use the phrase to react to a funny or surprising video clip.

As a cultural phenomenon, "What Was That?" is a reflection of Wendy Williams' unique brand of humor and personality. The phrase has become synonymous with Williams and is instantly recognizable to her fans.

Wendy Williams "What Was That?" FAQs

Tips Related to "Wendy Williams What Was That"

Conclusion

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