The phrase "If you smell what The Rock is cooking" is a famous catchphrase used by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson during his wrestling career in WWE. It essentially means "If you know what I mean" and is used to emphasize a point or taunt an opponent with flair
. Origin and Meaning:
- The Rock first heard a variation of this phrase during his football days at the University of Miami and later adapted it into his wrestling persona
- He started using it on WWE television around WrestleMania 14, where it was part of his charismatic and theatrical promos
- The phrase is often delivered with dramatic effect, including a raised eyebrow and a pause, making it a memorable part of his character's style
What is "The Rock" cooking?
- The phrase is metaphorical rather than literal. However, The Rock humorously addressed this question in 2016 by posting a picture of himself cooking pancakes, joking that he might be cooking pancakes or a fancy dessert called croquembouche
- Some fans have speculated alternative, more sinister meanings related to drug references early in his character's development, but these are not confirmed and are more speculative in nature
Variations of the phrase:
- While "If you smell what The Rock is cooking" is the most common form, The Rock has also been heard saying "Can you smell what The Rock is cooking?" and "Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?" at times, though "If you smell..." is the phrase he most frequently used in promos
In summary, "If you smell what The Rock is cooking" is a signature catchphrase meaning "If you understand or get what I'm saying," popularized by The Rock during his WWE career, delivered with theatrical flair, and not meant to be taken literally as cooking food
