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Geronimo! Doctor Who star Matt Smith reveals the origin of the Eleventh Doctor’s catchphrase
Matt Smith is responsible for the iconic Doctor Who catchphrase
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Every hero needs a good battle cry. Superman says, “This is a job for Superman.” The Thing says, “It’s clobberin’ time!” The Doctor says, “Geronimo!”
While the catchphrase is usually associated with Matt Smith, other incarnations of the Doctor had previously shouted the battle cry in comics, audio dramas, and prose stories. If you’re curious, the Tardis Wiki has a thorough breakdown.
However, we have Matt Smith to thank for Geronimo becoming a bona fide Doctor Who catchphrase. Smith first shouted the catchphrase during his introduction in the 2010 episode ‘The End of Time.’ Before long, it became a regular part of the Doctor’s lexicon. To this day, fans ask Smith to shout Geronimo whenever he appears at a convention.
During a panel at CCXP 2024, a fan asked Matt Smith to say the iconic line. Smith responded by sharing the story of how the line became a catchphrase.
“Weirdly that came about in the regeneration scene. It was kind of written once, and then I just kept saying 'Geronimo.' It sounded like quite a good line. I just kept kind of popping it in there.”
Smith was right, because it is a good line! There’s a reason it’s become synonymous with his time as the Eleventh Doctor.
Here's how to watch Doctor Who in order.
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