The Wilhelm Scream (originally called “Man being eaten by alligator”) is an inside joke in Hollywood: it’s a short but distinctive scream that has been used in hundreds of movies. Someone with too much time on his hands compiled this video with clips of many of the movies where the scream appears:
The more you watch this video the funnier it gets. Villains scream it, usually while flying through the air. Animated characters scream it. Every Star Wars movie features the scream, as do Star Wars spoofs. Sometimes even heroes scream it. It gets so ridiculous you want to scream it yourself. Oiaaaaargh! The next time you host a party, have a Wilhelm Scream Competition. The winner gets a Lacoste shirt.
Compare the Wilhelm Scream to Howard Dean’s famous scream during the 2004 Democratic presidential primaries, the one that ended his chances. He really nailed it! (Turn up the volume for full effect.)
(Via Freakonomics)