Crock Tales

French Post-Impressionist artist (1848-1903) known for his paintings of Tahitian life, having famously moved to Tahiti.

“And you look like someone who doesn't want his Paul Gauguin souvenir oven mitt.”— Niles

Iconic American recruiting poster featuring Uncle Sam pointing at the viewer with the text 'I Want YOU for U.S. Army,' created by James Montgomery Flagg.

“Frasier sighs and points his finger like the old World War II recruiting poster. Frasier: I WANT YOU — to wear those headphones!”— Frasier

1955 Alfred Hitchcock film starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, featuring a famous scene where fireworks are intercut with a romantic encounter.

“This gag is also an obvious tribute to Hitchcock's 'To Catch A Thief,' in which the male and female leads fall onto a couch, kissing, and the camera shifts up to show fireworks going off.”— Niles

1974 neo-noir film directed by Roman Polanski, starring Jack Nicholson and John Huston, considered one of the greatest films ever made.

“Of course I'm respectable, I'm old. Whores, ugly buildings and politicians all become respectable if they last long enough. — John Huston in 'Chinatown.'”— Frasier

American film director and actor (1906-1987) who also played Noah Cross in Chinatown (1974).

“Of course I'm respectable, I'm old. Whores, ugly buildings and politicians all become respectable if they last long enough. — John Huston in 'Chinatown.'”— Frasier

American actress and dancer known for roles in Do the Right Thing and White Men Can't Jump.

“the writers originally conceived of Martin's home health care worker being a sassy Hispanic, with Rosie Perez in mind for the role”— Frasier

English film director (1899-1980) known as the 'Master of Suspense,' directed classics like Psycho, Vertigo, and Rear Window.

“This gag is also an obvious tribute to Hitchcock's 'To Catch A Thief'”— Niles

A semi-hard cheese from Cornwall, England, notable for its rind of nettle leaves which develops a natural mold.

“This from the gourmet who dumped my Cornish Yarg cheese down the disposal.”— Frasier

A brand of lemon biscuits mentioned as Daphne's favorite from Manchester. Likely fictional.

“And-and you're Daphne Moon, from Manchester, where you developed a liking for Nickerson's Lemon Biscuits.”— Niles

A pizza with twelve toppings, as ordered by Martin. Likely a fictional pizza variety name.

“It's called a Dirty Dozen. Twelve delicious toppings, and not one of them duck.”— Martin

A smooth, creamy, highly seasoned soup of French origin, typically made from crustaceans, with a distinctive reddish color.

“You look like you've crawled out of a bisque.”— Frasier

National personification of the United States government, depicted as a tall man with white hair and goatee in a stars-and-stripes outfit, based on the famous W…

“Frasier comes out dressed as Uncle Sam: bright red-white-and-blue pantaloons, jacket and top hat, and a silvery wig and goatee”— Frasier

American seamstress widely credited with making the first American flag during the Revolutionary War.

“Roz comes in the front door wearing a red-and-white polka-dotted Betsy Ross costume.”— Roz

A fictional utopia described in James Hilton's 1933 novel 'Lost Horizon'; here used as the ironic name of Niles's apartment complex.

“Maris is freezing my assets, forcing me to live in the Shangri-La, which is the devil's own apartment complex”— Niles

A small jazz ensemble typically consisting of three musicians.

“No, we're going to form a jazz trio, Niles. Of course it's a lady friend, you cherry-faced fool.”— Frasier

Mexican holiday celebrated on May 5th commemorating the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

“Sorry I'm late. The Cinco de Mayo traffic was muy malo.”— Roz

The United States Navy's flight demonstration squadron, known for performing precision aerial maneuvers at public events.

“Roz: The Blue Angels!”— Roz

A small, energetic breed of terrier originating from England, known for their intelligence and lifespan of about 13-16 years.

“You're reading about Jack Russell terriers, right? That's how many years they live — fourteen.”— Martin

A humorous metaphor invented by Frasier comparing dating him to climbing a mountain.

“I allowed her to climb to the first base camp on Mount Crane and I believe she's feeling the effects of the altitude.”— Frasier

French Polynesian island in the South Pacific, famously associated with artist Paul Gauguin who lived and painted there.

“Oh, Tahiti was absolute paradise — except for poor Niles getting sunburned.”— Daphne

Iconic observation tower in Seattle, Washington, built for the 1962 World's Fair, standing 605 feet tall.

“You're not going to send me back to the Space Needle with binoculars and a walkie-talkie again, are you?”— Daphne

Largest city in Switzerland, known as a center for banking and medical/cosmetic procedures.

“Yes, and now she's on the phone to her chin-grinder in Zurich.”— Niles

Capital city of Portugal, referenced by Frasier as an analogy to the name 'Lisbeth.'

“Ah, like Lisbon!”— Frasier

A drink made by mixing wine with club soda or sparkling water.

“Just a half a glass, with club soda. You know how I love my spritzer.”— Lisbeth

A fortified wine made from white grapes grown near Jerez de la Frontera in Spain; became Niles and Frasier's signature drink on the show.

“Uh yes — actually, I'm in a sherry mood tonight. Frasier: Sherry? What an intriguing idea. Think I could scare up a bottle of sherry.”— Niles

Whisky made in Scotland, a popular spirit often associated with refined taste.

“Anyway, would you care for a scotch, Niles?”— Frasier