That's what she said

Could you pass me the butter? I’m going to ride the A bus. Is there parking in back? I really want some chimichangas. These are buy one, get one free.\nThat’s what she said!\nThat’s the hot phrase the kids are saying these days. Say it in response to virtually any statement and you have an instant sexual innuendo.\nEven when it barely makes sense.\nWe need to buy some light bulbs. Don’t forget to feed the fish. I’m going to brew a cup of tea.\nThat’s what she said!\nIs that funny? I don’t even know anymore.\n“That’s what she said” is almost as tired as a Chuck Norris joke but not quite as overused as saying something along the lines of “Yeah, well, your face is a Chuck Norris joke.” (I apologize. I’m guilty of that tactic.)\nI wanted to know the history of the phrase “That’s what she said.” What inspired people to first say it? So I turned to Wikipedia for answers. (Hasn’t the Internet made higher education obsolete yet?) Tragically, there is no Wikipedia entry for “That’s what she said.” Needless to say, I requested that someone create the article. I want someone to do it now. (That’s what she said.)\nI think I first heard the phrase used about eight months ago. It was popularized by the TV shows “The Office” and “King of the Hill.” Last week on Feb. 15, according to Facebook, we celebrated International That’s What She Said Day. It had more than 150,000 confirmed guests.\nIt’s time to start critically analyzing our use of this phrase. Who is “she”? Are we all familiar with the same woman who finds herself so often in these sexually suggestive situations?\nThis phrase is only applied to innuendos concerning women in a heterosexual context. That’s the only time it seems to pop up. (That’s what she said.)\nNo one ever says “That’s what ‘he’ said.” A woman is being referred to in a sexual way every time you say “That’s what she said.” A woman is the sexual default.\nOur humor and our vernacular are often laced with casual misogyny. It’s so ingrained in our culture that we don’t even think about it. I doubt the majority of people who consciously use slang like “douche bag” and “sucks” intend to degrade women as sex objects. It would take decades for these popular phrases to fade away. Maybe when I’m 72 and I ask my grandchildren to pass me the prunes, they’ll say, “That’s what she said!” \nA little TWSS isn’t an immediate menace to society, but all these little jokes can add up to women not receiving the respect they deserve. At least think about what you’re saying and ask yourself why it’s funny.\nA nongender specific “That’s what your sexual partner said” doesn’t seem to pack the same punch. If you hear people setting themselves up for a good TWSS, it’s hard not to follow through. Your ear is trained to hear it by now. I will admit that it’s still fitting on special occasions if timed just right.\nThat’s what he said.