Dictionary

mumbly Joe en · NOUN

Etymology

From “Treehouse of Horror VII”, an episode of The Simpsons that first aired in October 1997. In it, Homer Simpson uses the term to refer to real-life politician and then–US presidential candidate Bob Dole.

Meanings

1. (humorous, slang) Someone who mumbles and is difficult to understand when speaking.
   • "Except, um... there's this election next week, so after that, it might not be him anymore. It might be what's-his-name, uh... Mumbly Joe, uh... I saw him on TV the other... uh... Bob Dole!" 1996 October 27, David S. Cohen, Dan Greaney, Ken Keeler, “Treehouse of Horror VII”, in The Simpsons, season 8, episode 1 (television show), spoken by Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta), via Fox:
   • "For instance, Phoenix’s infamous interview with David Letterman, which first introduced a wide audience to Phoenix’s mumbly Joe would-be rap star character, has now been revealed to be a joke that even Letterman himself was in on." 2010 September 20, Sean O'Neal, “Yes, David Letterman knew that Joaquin Phoenix was not really a crazy rapper”, in AV News, archived from the original on 20 Nov 2019:
   • "Maybe it’s because this version of Hex is a real mumbly Joe (even when he’s yelling), but I did think it was hard to follow what he told Sara about his past." 2016 November 18, Dylan Todd, Matt Wilson, “‘LEGENDS OF TOMORROW’ POST-SHOW RECAP: SEASON 2, EPISODE 6: ‘OUTLAW COUNTRY’”, in Comics Alliance:

Forms

wikipedia: Treehouse of Horror VII · wikipedia: Homer Simpson · wikipedia: Bob Dole · wikipedia: The Simpsons