“catchphrase”这个词最早出现在1837年，意思是“被人们记住并反复使用的短语”。它由动词 catch（抓住）和名词 phrase（短语）组合而成。这个词的背后有个意思，就是那些能“抓住”人们注意力的词汇（可以对比一下更早的词 catchword，可能是这个词的灵感来源；还有 catchy）。最初它多用于政治语境，也指那些从戏剧中流行起来的台词。
This new experiment consists in a "divorce of bank and State." This is a mere catch-phrase, which was originally introduced by artful and designing politicians to impose upon the credulity and honesty of the people. Many have adopted it without reflecting or inquiring as to its import, or its consequences. [Sen. Talmage (Georgia), U.S. Senate debate on the Sub-Treasury Bill, Sept. 22, 1837]
这个新实验就是要实现“银行与国家的分离”。这不过是个“口号”，最初是一些狡猾的政治家为了欺骗民众的信任和诚实而提出的。许多人在没有反思或探究其含义和后果的情况下，就轻易地接受了它。[乔治亚州的塔尔梅奇参议员，1837年9月22日美国参议院关于《次级财政法案》的辩论]
In political or partisan squibs, the introduction of such phrases may be properly allowed, though sparingly ; for they are most undoubtedly a species of ornament that soon nauseates upon repetition. There is a still lower species of "slang," consisting of the "catch phrase of the day," in great vogue among the gods at the minor theatres, that we only mention to reprobate entirely ; and which, as common sense is no ingredient in its concoction, is as destitute of energy as it is abhorrent to a cultivated ear. ["T.A.," "Guide for the Writing-Desk; or, Young Author's and Secretary's Friend," etc., London, 1846]
在政治或党派的讽刺作品中，偶尔使用这样的短语是可以的，但要适度；因为它们无疑是一种修饰，然而一旦过度使用就会让人厌烦。还有一种更低级的“俚语”，就是那些“当下流行的口号”，在小剧场中非常流行，我们提到它只是为了彻底谴责；因为这些口号的构成中缺乏常识，既没有活力，又让人听了不舒服。[“T.A.”，《写作桌指南；或，年轻作家与秘书的朋友》，伦敦，1846年]
