Whoo hoo! (TM)

Has anyone else noticed that Washington Mutual Bank has trademarked the phrase "whoo hoo"?



First of all, can you even trademark "whoo hoo"? Isn't it public domain? And if it isn't, shouldn't Matt Groening own the trademark? Clearly, that's Homer Simpson's trademark phrase. Or maybe Homer is saying "Woo hoo," without the first "h."

Matt better start protecting his other characters' catchphrases before they get stolen too. For Bart, there's "Ay Caramba (TM)," "Don't Have A Cow Man (TM)," and "Eat My Shorts (TM)." For Marge, there's the disapproving noise she makes in the back of her throat: "Hmhmhmhmhmhmhmhm (TM)." Lisa, I'm not too sure about. Maggie has that pacifier sucking sound: "Tch-ch Tch-ch (TM)." Then there's Comic Book Guy's "Worst. (Something). Ever. (TM)." Mr. Burns's "Eeeeeeexcellent (TM)." Nelson's "Ha-Ha (TM)." And of course Homer's "Mmmmm, (incongruous noun) (TM)." Better protect them before they're gone, Matt.