A dented red toy car carries a small leafy wreath on its bonnet against aqua.

Original artwork, not a still

Woody Allen

Some guy hit my car fender the other day, and I said unto him, “Be fruitful and multiply.” But not in those words.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker describes responding to a damaged car with words that sound like a blessing, then admits the wording was different. The final qualification invites the listener to supply a vulgar alternative. The joke substitutes ceremonious language for an angry insult while keeping its sexual implication recognisable.

Context reviewed

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