History Main / IveHeardOfThatWhatIsIt

This trope is usually used in preschool shows in order to, by making the ignorant character an AudienceSurrogate, explain to the viewers a new word or concept.

SubTrope of FeigningIntelligence, although the feigning is usually quite brief before the character admits she really doesn't know what she's talking about. Not to be confused with {{Malaproper}}, which is when the character misuses words ''without knowing'' that he don't know what the words mean (honest, but false, certainty). Completing the quadrangle is ObfuscatingStupidity, which is dishonest uncertainty/ignorance. Related and often a SuperTrope to CallingMeALogarithm, which is where someone takes offense to a word they don't know the meaning of, with or without pretending to know what it means.

-->''Ms. Marmalady''': (''brightly'') Oh, of course, a ''croquembouche''. (''flatly'') What is that?

* ''Series/BlakesSeven''. A Federation general is [[ThoseTwoBadGuys discussing with his aide]] what the next target in the [[TheWarOfEarthlyAggression Terran Federation's reconquest of their former empire]] will be.

* The [[http://dndshallneverdie.blogspot.com/2007/11/from-dread-gazebo-part-of-blackhammers.html Tale of the Dread Gazebo]] is based around this Trope.

* Invoked in the ''WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty'' episode [[Recap/RickAndMortyS2E1ARickleInTime "A Rickle in Time"]]: Rick calls Jerry "the Redgren Grumbholdt of pretending he knows what's going on". When Summer and Morty laugh, Rick explains that was a name he just made up, [[SecretTestOfCharacter he just wanted to know if they were sycophantic enough to laugh anyway]].

* In ''Manga/BlackButler'', Lau does this ''all the time''. While investigating UsefulNotes/JackTheRipper, Ciel announces to his companions that to get information on the killer they must go see... and Lau reacts in shock/horror. When they reach the location of their informant (the Undertaker), Lau finally asks, "So where are we?"

* In "Franklin in the Stars" from ''Literature/{{Franklin}} and Friends'', Aunt T suggests that she, Franklin and Harriet might be able to see Saturn using the telescope that she brought. Franklin comments "Wow, Saturn!", then asks her what that is.

* In ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheFellowshipOfTheRing'', at the foundation of the Fellowship, Merry and Pippin barge in and vocally and adamantly declare that they are joining the crew. Nobody really objects, and all seems settled, and then Pippin cheerfuly asks where exactly they will be heading.

* In ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheFellowshipOfTheRing'', at the foundation of the Fellowship, Merry and Pippin barge in and vocaly and adamantly declare that they are joining the crew. Nobody really objects, and all seems settled, and then Pippin cheerfuly asks where exactly will they be heading.
* Quill to Gamora in ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy'': "Yeah, We know who you are." (turning around to Groot, whispering) "Who is she?"

** In the episode "New Kid On the Block", shortly after meeting Same, the kids realize he can fill the empty spot on their street hockey team.

--> '''Ray:''' The Fiji Flu?! Not the Fiji Flu! Why, oh why the Fiji Flu? ''[{{beat}}]'' What's the Fiji Flu?

* ''Series/BlakesSeven''. ThoseTwoBadGuys are discussing what the next target in TheWarOfEarthlyAggression will be.

* In ''Film/TheFellowshipOfTheRing'', at the foundation of the Fellowship, Merry and Pippin barge in and vocaly and adamantly declare that they are joining the crew. Nobody really objects, and all seems settled, and then Pippin cheerfuly asks where exactly will they be heading.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/RocketPower'' episode "Typhoid Sam", Ray does this after finding out from the doctor that Otto and Reggie have the Fiji Flu.
--> '''Ray:''' The Fiji Flu?! Not the Fiji Flu! Why, oh why the Fiji Flu? ''(beat)'' What's the Fiji Flu?

* ''WesternAnimation/BobsBurgers'': In "Brunchsquatch", the restaurant starts serving brunch, including bottomless mimosas. One of the customers, a food blogger named Dalton, warns Linda that all the customers who are just hanging around ordering more free drinks are "brunch skunks".

* In the ''Disney/{{Aladdin}}'' sequel ''The Return of Jafar'', after Sultan announces that he wants to make Aladdin the royal vizier, Genie pretends to be a newsman and souvenir seller announcing the new Royal Vizier and repeating the phrase several times, only to turn to Sultan afterwards and ask "What's a royal vizier?"
* In ''Disney/TheThreeCaballeros'', Panchito's gift to Donald is a piñata. Donald says, "Oh boy, oh boy! A piñata!... What's a piñata?"

* In the ''Disney/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'', as they're preparing to find the Court of Miracles to warn the gypsies about Frollo's attack, Quasimodo shows Phoebus the amulet Esmeralda gave him.

** In "Big Bad Buggysitter," Spiderus tells the kids that he'll grace them with a "nocturnal narrative" if they're good and get to bed. Bounce hops up and down and shouts excitedly about the idea of a "nocturnal narrative," then asks what this. Spiderus explains that it's a bedtime story.