<![CDATA[What exactly does that term mean and where did it originate?]]>Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Michael Showalter

shelly10538 — 18 years ago(January 22, 2008 09:20 AM)

What exactly does that term mean and where did it originate?

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/topic/137970/what-exactly-does-that-term-mean-and-where-did-it-originateRSS for NodeTue, 12 May 2026 16:19:35 GMTSun, 19 Apr 2026 10:42:07 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to What exactly does that term mean and where did it originate? on Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:42:15 GMT]]>LaveNye — 16 years ago(September 23, 2009 08:48 PM)

He explains where he came up with the word "Baxter" in this interview on NPR Fresh Air @ 18:45
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106605364
To paraphrase, he was trying to come up with an old-fashioned, nerdy-sounding word, so he combined "bowler hat" with "poindexter" which resulted in "baxter". He was unaware that Jack Lemmon's character on The Apartment had the same name.
This is a great movie by the way. The scene where the the wedding planner asks for an apple juice is comedy gold.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1199498https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1199498Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:42:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What exactly does that term mean and where did it originate? on Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:42:13 GMT]]>cairnlae — 16 years ago(July 23, 2009 06:26 PM)

Oh SATCgirl-I think that was a NICE call on where they got the meaning-just obscure enough to be the answer!!!I completely agree with this

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1199497https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1199497Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:42:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What exactly does that term mean and where did it originate? on Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:42:12 GMT]]>SATCgirl — 17 years ago(February 07, 2009 02:07 AM)

Doesnt it have to do also with Jack Lemmon's character CC Baxter in the Apartment who was the nice guy?

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1199496https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1199496Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:42:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What exactly does that term mean and where did it originate? on Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:42:11 GMT]]>BirkinsandBangles — 18 years ago(February 11, 2008 10:19 PM)

The definition is on the DVD cover!

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1199495https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1199495Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:42:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What exactly does that term mean and where did it originate? on Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:42:10 GMT]]>noahtenzin — 18 years ago(January 28, 2008 11:53 AM)

Nicely explained here:
http://shareddarkness.com/2007/06/17/the-baxter.aspx
^^ "The leaping off point for THE BAXTER is the great screwball romantic comedies of the 1930s and '40s, films in which second male leads like Ralph Bellamy and John Howard took it squarely on the chin when the Cary Grants of the world swept in and relieved them of their women"

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1199494https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1199494Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:42:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What exactly does that term mean and where did it originate? on Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:42:08 GMT]]>crazykaese — 18 years ago(January 25, 2008 08:50 AM)

In the movie he describes being a "Baxter" as the guy who doesn't get the girl, loses the race, the second fiddle etc. He says its a word used in hollywood, but doesn't give information on when it started or by who. I just tried to look it up, with the definition he used, but I didn't find anything. Baxter - Oxford/English dictionary - a baker (among other things); but not his definition.
If you haven't already, watch the movie. It's worht a look.
Small brave carnivores
Kill pine cones and mosquitoes,
Fear vacuum cleaner

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