Original artwork, not a still
Zip it.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Dr. Evil cannot admit a mistake, so he swaps the argument for a catchphrase and keeps bending it until the room gives up. The joke runs on repetition, which is why it is the part of the scene people recite. It has since turned up on office doors, in parody videos and in the mouths of fans who can't win an argument but won't lose it either.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged MeShow the scene
In The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), Scott Evil tries to tell his father that a trillion is more than a billion. Dr. Evil shuts him down with "Zip it," then keeps going: "ex-zip-it A" to an imaginary jury, "Zippy" Longstocking, a Devo "Whip It" tune, the Japanese "damare," and an offer of a suckle of his "zipple." Every time Scott tries to speak he is cut off. In the end the joke gives way to business, and the scene closes with "Zip it. Unveil the Time Portal."
Sources (2)
- Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, WikiquoteDr. Evil and Scott, the zip it runReference checked
- Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, film scriptscene after the trillions exchangeReference checked
Context reviewed
