Meaning
What does Put the Lotion in the Basket mean?
Put the lotion in the basket is a memorable quote turned colloquial expression from the phsychological thriller, “The Silence of the Lambs”.
It is used as an idiom to describe something as incredible, remarkable and stunning.
Origin
What's the origin of Put the Lotion in the Basket?
The expression would first appear in the novel of Thomas Harris; “The Silence of the Lambs” published in 1988.
It was truly popularized three years later, in 1991, in the motion picture rendering of the story, wherein one of the scenes depict Buffalo Bill ordering a captive to rub lotion on her skin, telling her that once she’s finished she should “put the lotion in the basket”.
The both the book and the film got great reception, turning into iconic elements of modern pop culture.
Spread & Usage
How did Put the Lotion in the Basket spread?
The phrase would see more and more widespread use in the 1990’s, being referenced by fans and enthusiasts of the movie.
It was featured in the 2001 comedy flick of Dennie Gordon, titled “Joe Dirt” where the lotion scene from “The Silence of the Lambs” is dropped as an Easter egg.
“Put the lotion in the basket” was first defined on Urban Dictionary in 2003.
External resources
- Urban Dictionary – It puts the lotion in the basket