Pass It On: Here’s The Excellent Story Of How Matthew McConaughey Came Up With His Catchphrase

“Alright, alright, alright”: three words that’ll be plastered all over Matthew McConaughey’s tombstone when he tragically passes away in a freak bongo-related accident sometime in the distant future. We all know that he said it first in the indie classic Dazed And Confused as drugged-out skirtchaser Wooderson, and that he said it most recently in his insanely confusing Oscars ‘Best Actor’ acceptance speech. But do you know the meaning, meaning, meaning behind his infamous catchphrase, catchphrase, catchphrase?

US TV host and new YouTube hero George Stroumboulopoulos just unearthed this clip of McConaughey explaining the line’s origins on his own talk show back in 2011. It’s a great story involving The Doors, weed and “redheaded intellectual” Marisa Ribisi, made all the better by McConaughey’s signature stoner drawl. This guy could read Mein Kampf and make it a romantic hit.