Ariel the mermaid famously calls a fork a “dinglehopper” in the Disney movie The Little Mermaid. This scene has gone down in pop culture history as one of the most iconic and beloved moments from the movie. But why does Ariel call a fork a dinglehopper?
The Origins of the Word "Dinglehopper"
The origin of the word “dinglehopper” is not known, though it is speculated that it may be derived from an old English term meaning “a tool used to comb or groom hair”. This makes sense, since Ariel uses the dinglehopper as a comb to tame her fiery red hair. It is also possible that the word is a play on the word “dangle” which means to hang loosely.
Why Does Ariel Call a Fork a Dinglehopper?
It is unclear why Ariel calls a fork a dinglehopper, but it is likely that she is trying to show her human friend, Prince Eric, how unaware she is of the human world. Since Ariel is a mermaid, she has never seen a fork before and thus has no idea what it is called in the human world. By calling it a dinglehopper, she is making a joke about her lack of knowledge.
Why Does the Scene Remain So Iconic?
The scene in which Ariel calls a fork a dinglehopper has become one of the most iconic and beloved moments from the movie. This is likely because it is a light-hearted moment in an otherwise serious movie. It is also a relatable moment, as many of us can relate to feeling like a fish out of water in unfamiliar situations. The fact that Ariel is able to laugh at her own ignorance makes the scene even more endearing.
How Does the Scene Contribute to the Movie?
The scene in which Ariel calls a fork a dinglehopper serves to further develop her character and to show Prince Eric that she is an outsider to his world. It also serves as a source of comic relief and as a way to lighten the mood in a movie that is otherwise serious.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dinglehopper?
A dinglehopper is a tool that Ariel the mermaid famously calls a fork in the Disney movie The Little Mermaid. It is speculated that the word is derived from an old English term meaning “a tool used to comb or groom hair”.
Why does Ariel call a fork a dinglehopper?
It is likely that Ariel calls a fork a dinglehopper as a way to show her human friend, Prince Eric, how unaware she is of the human world. By calling it a dinglehopper, she is making a joke about her lack of knowledge.
Why is the scene so iconic?
The scene in which Ariel calls a fork a dinglehopper has become one of the most iconic and beloved moments from the movie. This is likely because it is a light-hearted moment in an otherwise serious movie. It is also a relatable moment, as many of us can relate to feeling like a fish out of water in unfamiliar situations.
What does the scene contribute to the movie?
The scene in which Ariel calls a fork a dinglehopper serves to further develop her character and to show Prince Eric that she is an outsider to his world. It also serves as a source of comic relief and as a way to lighten the mood in a movie that is otherwise serious.
Why is the word "dinglehopper" used?
The origin of the word “dinglehopper” is not known, though it is speculated that it may be derived from an old English term meaning “a tool used to comb or groom hair”. This makes sense, since Ariel uses the dinglehopper as a comb to tame her fiery red hair. It is also possible that the word is a play on the word “dangle” which means to hang loosely.
What does "dangle" mean?
The word “dangle” means to hang loosely. It is possible that the word “dinglehopper” is a play on this word, as Ariel may have thought it was funny to use a word that means “to hang loosely” to refer to a utensil.
How did Ariel not know what a fork was?
Ariel is a mermaid, so she has never seen a fork before and thus has no idea what it is called in the human world. This explains why she was unaware of what a fork was and why she called it a dinglehopper.
Why is Ariel's ignorance endearing?
Ariel’s ignorance is endearing because it is a relatable moment, as many of us can relate to feeling like a fish out of water in unfamiliar situations. The fact that Ariel is able to laugh at her own ignorance makes the scene even more endearing.