Original artwork, not a still
Discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it San Diego, which of course in German means a whale's vagina.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Ron's fake erudition comes undone in seconds, and what makes it funny is how little he minds: he invents a fact, is caught, and recovers by sounding even more authoritative. Fans quote it as the perfect example of a made-up fact delivered with total authority.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Anchorman: The Legend of Ron BurgundyShow the scene
In Anchorman (2004), Ron Burgundy takes Veronica Corningstone out for their evening rendezvous, which she says is not a date and he calls strictly professional, to a spot overlooking San Diego. He declares it the greatest city in the history of mankind and shows off some local history: the city was discovered by the Germans in 1904, who named it San Diego, which "in German means a whale's vagina." Veronica says there is no way that is correct, and Ron admits he was trying to impress her and does not know what it means. Scholars, he adds, say the translation was lost hundreds of years ago, and they agree to disagree.
Sources (3)
- Anchorman (2004) transcript, Springfield! Springfield!Ron and Veronica's rendezvousReference checked
- Anchorman quotes, Anchorman WikiRon and Veronica exchangeReference checked
- Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, WikipediaProductionReference checked
Context reviewed
