Also called Dr. Evil Air Quotes · Dr Evil Quotation Marks · Sarcastic Dr. Evil
Dr. Evil makes exaggerated air quotes with both hands. Put the word or promise you doubt in quotation marks and let the gesture supply the sarcasm.
The raised fingers tell the reader not to take a phrase at face value. A “quick” call may not be quick; “unlimited” storage may come with limits.
The joke is strongest when the disputed wording is ordinary. The theatrical gesture gives a mild complaint about a promise or label an unnecessarily grand delivery.
Mike Myers plays Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers films. This image shows him with the model for his moon-laser scheme in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), making the two-handed quotation gesture associated with the character. [1]
The films use exaggerated air quotes around terms such as laser and Death Star. The meme borrows the gesture to question somebody else’s wording, even when the caption has nothing to do with the original plan. [2] [3]
Dr. Evil’s scheme in The Spy Who Shagged Me provides the setting for this version of the air-quotes image. [1]
Use a short setup above Dr. Evil’s head and the disputed phrase below his hands. Leave the fingers unobstructed so the air quotes still read clearly.
Quote only the phrase you want the reader to doubt. “Quick call” suggests a different joke from “call,” so choose the words that carry the broken promise.
Original captions to try with this template.
The quotation marks suggest that this call will probably outlast its description.
The gesture casts doubt on how generous the stated limit really is.
The speaker’s own promise is the claim that should not be taken too seriously.
References for this template. Example captions are original.
Describes the 1999 sequel and Dr. Evil’s plan to put a laser on the Moon.
Explains the gesture and Dr. Evil’s use of it in the Austin Powers films.
Documents this template and its air-quotes aliases.
