Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Nigel's logic is wonderful because it is almost sound: the line is delivered with complete sincerity by a man who has confused a bigger number with a better idea. It became the shorthand for turning anything past its limit, entering the language as 'up to eleven', and it is quoted by gear nerds, musicians and software teams alike who dial something beyond its stated maximum.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for This Is Spinal TapShow the scene
In Rob Reiner's This Is Spinal Tap (1984), documentary filmmaker Marty DiBergi follows the fading British metal band on a US tour. Backstage, guitarist Nigel Tufnel shows him his guitar collection and a custom amplifier whose volume knobs are marked up to eleven, which he explains makes it one louder than amps that stop at ten. When Marty asks why ten isn't simply made louder, Nigel pauses, then answers with the line, as if it settled the matter. Reiner, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer share the screenplay credit, though most of the dialogue was improvised.
Sources (3)
- This Is Spinal Tap, Wikipedialead; PlotReference checked
- This Is Spinal Tap, WikiquoteNigel Tufnel and Marty DiBergi exchange about the ampReference checked
- Up to eleven, WikipedialeadReference checked
Context reviewed