--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Thomas hooked a thumb at Butters. \"Check…" description: "\"“Thomas hooked a thumb at Butters. \"Check out Dr. Marcus Welby, MD, here.\" \"I'd have gone with Doogie Howser, maybe,\" I said. \"Split the difference at ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdd/jim-butcher-151_banter_thomas-hooked-a-thumb-at-butters-check-o_3013396.jpg" --- # Thomas hooked a thumb at Butters. "Check out Dr. Marcus… ![“Thomas hooked a thumb at Butters. "Check out Dr. Marcus Welby, MD, here." "I'd have gone with Doogie Howser, maybe," I said. "Split the difference at McCoy?" Thomas asked? "Perfect.” quote by Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdd/jim-butcher-151_banter_thomas-hooked-a-thumb-at-butters-check-o_3013396.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdd/jim-butcher-151_banter_thomas-hooked-a-thumb-at-butters-check-o_3013396.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdd/jim-butcher-151_banter_thomas-hooked-a-thumb-at-butters-check-o_3013396.jpg) > ““Thomas hooked a thumb at Butters. "Check out Dr. Marcus Welby, MD, here." "I'd have gone with Doogie Howser, maybe," I said. "Split the difference at McCoy?" Thomas asked? "Perfect.”” [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character jokes about swapping TV doctors, highlighting casual pop‑culture references in dialogue. **In simple terms:** Characters use humor and TV references in conversation. Key Takeaway Use humor to make dialogue relatable. Themes humor pop culture dialogue Mood lighthearted playful Type fiction conversational When to use this quote - casual conversation - TV show references - comic relief Key Concepts media references character interaction Questions to Reflect On - How does pop‑culture humor affect character perception? - When is it appropriate in serious scenes? A Different Perspective Humor may distract from plot seriousness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Banter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/banter/) [Nerd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nerd/) ## Related quotes > [“Butters blinked at looked at Thomas. "My God," he said. "You've been shot." Thomas hooked a thumb at Butters. "Check out Dr. Marcus Welby,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/butters-blinked-at-looked-at-thomas-my-god-he-said-you-ve-been-shot/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [Karrin, eh?" Thomas asked. I nodded. "She's real serious about order. A man dying, she can understand. A man coming back. That's different." "Isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/karrin-eh-thomas-asked-i-nodded-she-s-real-serious-about-order-a-man/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“If your new boss wanted yo on the island, wouldn't she just have told you to go there?" Thomas asked. "Seems like," I said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/if-your-new-boss-wanted-yo-on-the-island-wouldn-t-she-just-have-told/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“My double snorted. “That’s good. That really is, the banter thing. I can’t do the banter very well. Maybe that’s why you’re in charge.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/my-double-snorted-that-s-good-that-really-is-the-banter-thing-i-can-t/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“You're supposed to be a spirit of intellect. I don't understand why you're obsessed with sex." Bob's voice got defensive. "It's an academic interest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/you-re-supposed-to-be-a-spirit-of-intellect-i-don-t-understand-why/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“Bring the luggage in, Thomas,” Lucian ordered with a frown as he approached the front. “What about the girl?” Thomas asked with irritation. “That’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynsay-sands/bring-the-luggage-in-thomas-lucian-ordered-with-a-frown-as-he/) [Lynsay Sands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynsay-sands/) > [Thomas jabbed a thumb over his shoulder and raised his eyebrows. "You met our new friend?" Miho responded, a smirk flashing across his face.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dashner/thomas-jabbed-a-thumb-over-his-shoulder-and-raised-his-eyebrows-you/) [James Dashner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dashner/) > [Still in Bed?" Thomas had asked with amusement, as Lissianna had blinked at them. "I am so glad you got at least a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynsay-sands/still-in-bed-thomas-had-asked-with-amusement-as-lissianna-had-blinked/) [Lynsay Sands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynsay-sands/) > [Can you do that?” Thomas asked. “Huh?” “Kill someone three times.” “I’d figure out a way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dashner/can-you-do-that-thomas-asked-huh-kill-someone-three-times-i-d-figure/) [James Dashner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dashner/) > [“Where am I?” Thomas asked, surprised”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dashner/where-am-i-thomas-asked-surprised/) [James Dashner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dashner/) > [“Where’s your bowstrings?’ Thomas asked, for the priest had neither helmet nor cap. ‘I looped them round my…well, never mind. It has to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-cornwell/where-s-your-bowstrings-thomas-asked-for-the-priest-had-neither/) [Bernard Cornwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-cornwell/) > [“Lorean? The Doctor’s TARDIS?” “Whose TARDIS?” Thomas asked. “That’s right.” Mr. Pianova smiled.“Blue box and every interior the Doctor has roamed in.” “Doctor who?”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-rosado-machain/lorean-the-doctor-s-tardis-whose-tardis-thomas-asked-that-s-right-mr/) Julian Rosado-Machain > [“You're giving up the hunt for de Taillebourg?' Thomas asked. He had learned the priest's name from Robbie. 'No.' Robbie still had his head…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-cornwell/you-re-giving-up-the-hunt-for-de-taillebourg-thomas-asked-he-had/) [Bernard Cornwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-cornwell/) > [“Where are we going?” Thomas asked, still feeling the weight of seeing those walls close, thinking about the maze, the confusion, the fear. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dashner/where-are-we-going-thomas-asked-still-feeling-the-weight-of-seeing/) [James Dashner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dashner/) > [Dylan Thomas, asked what he thought of Welsh Nationalism, replied in three words, two of which were 'Welsh Nationalism.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avram-davidson/dylan-thomas-asked-what-he-thought-of-welsh-nationalism-replied-in/) Avram Davidson ## More by Jim Butcher > [“I stared at MacFinn for a long moment. I believed that he was telling me the truth. That he didn’t have much control, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/i-stared-at-macfinn-for-a-long-moment-i-believed-that-he-was-telling/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“So you really could die. Your godmother is right, you know. You are mad as a hatter. Nutty as a fruitcake.” “Crazy like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/so-you-really-could-die-your-godmother-is-right-you-know-you-are-mad/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“I knew I didn't have much of a chance of getting away from that swarm of fae piranha, but it was an infinitely larger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/i-knew-i-didn-t-have-much-of-a-chance-of-getting-away-from-that-swarm/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“I told you," Molly said, never looking toward me. "It's in the past. Leave it there." "You listening to my head, kiddo?" Her mouth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/i-told-you-molly-said-never-looking-toward-me-it-s-in-the-past-leave/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [Punctuality is for people with nothing better to do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/punctuality-is-for-people-with-nothing-better-to-do/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“Look,” I said. “Me and the island are . . . kind of partners.” “Oh, right,” Thomas said. He looked at Karrin and said, “Harry’s a geosexual.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/look-i-said-me-and-the-island-are-kind-of-partners-oh-right-thomas/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“I swear , this stupid town. Why does every hideous supernatural thing that happens happen here ? I'm gone for a few months and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/i-swear-this-stupid-town-why-does-every-hideous-supernatural-thing/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [Well. We’ll just have to hope that this wasn’t a loup-garou, I guess.” “If it was a louper, you’d know,” Bob said wisely. “In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/well-we-ll-just-have-to-hope-that-this-wasn-t-a-loup-garou-i-guess-if/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“I'm going to use them to track him down and thwart him." "Thwart?" Sarissa asked. "Thwart." I said. "To prevent someone from accomplishing something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/i-m-going-to-use-them-to-track-him-down-and-thwart-him-thwart-sarissa/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“But you can't go around changing your definition of right and wrong (or smart and stupid) just because doing the wrong thing happens to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/but-you-can-t-go-around-changing-your-definition-of-right-and-wrong/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“Not everyone can be equally right, Harry.” “But believe you me, everyone can be equally wrong,” I said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/not-everyone-can-be-equally-right-harry-but-believe-you-me-everyone/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [You are a drug dealer. To tiny faeries. Shame." Sanya to Dresden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/you-are-a-drug-dealer-to-tiny-faeries-shame-sanya-to-dresden/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“He fell into step beside me and we both got into the Blue Beetle — he got in the red door. I got in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/he-fell-into-step-beside-me-and-we-both-got-into-the-blue-beetle-he/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [Something like this will test you like nothing else," Mac said. "You're going to find out who you are, Harry. You're going to find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/something-like-this-will-test-you-like-nothing-else-mac-said-you-re/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“Mort looked at the cat and sighed. “Oh, sure. Professional ectomancer with a national reputation as a medium tells you what’s going on, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/mort-looked-at-the-cat-and-sighed-oh-sure-professional-ectomancer/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) [Explore all 1,110 Jim Butcher quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) ## More Banter quotes > [“It was wonderful flirting with him, all the razor-edged literary banter, like Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing. A battle of wit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wein/it-was-wonderful-flirting-with-him-all-the-razor-edged-literary/) [Elizabeth Wein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wein/) > [“ Peter! Were you looking for a horse-shoe?" "No; I was expecting the horse, but the shoe is a piece of pure, gorgeous luck."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/peter-were-you-looking-for-a-horse-shoe-no-i-was-expecting-the-horse/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [“Courting a princess does come with a few perks. Such as an immortal madwoman chasing us to the ends of the realm." "Yeah… Sorry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-v-wilson/courting-a-princess-does-come-with-a-few-perks-such-as-an-immortal/) [K.V. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-v-wilson/) > [“First, I’m going to teach you how to Irish Whip someone.” “Oh, that sounds kinky. I want my safeword to be peaches,” I said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-adams/first-i-m-going-to-teach-you-how-to-irish-whip-someone-oh-that-sounds/) [Kyle Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-adams/) > [“Jimmy was in a league of his own when it came to puerile, half-pissed badinage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-holoran/jimmy-was-in-a-league-of-his-own-when-it-came-to-puerile-half-pissed/) [Jamie Holoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-holoran/) > [“Abe held my gaze a bit longer and then broke into an easy smile. ʺOf course, of course. This is a family gathering. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/abe-held-my-gaze-a-bit-longer-and-then-broke-into-an-easy-smile-of/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“See the healer, Sage. We have a big week ahead of us, and I can’t afford you falling dead on me.” “I don’t think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-nicole-maehrer/see-the-healer-sage-we-have-a-big-week-ahead-of-us-and-i-can-t-afford/) Hannah Nicole Maehrer > [“Took long enough,” she called out, not wanting to admit how the sight of him made her throat hitch, how the man was so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mcintyre/took-long-enough-she-called-out-not-wanting-to-admit-how-the-sight-of/) [Katherine McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mcintyre/) > [“I want to go to a café and sit with you. I want you to order something I've never eaten before and tease me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-tessaro/i-want-to-go-to-a-caf-and-sit-with-you-i-want-you-to-order-something/) [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) > [Sometimes things are said on the pitch that people won't see at home. There's a bit of banter on the pitch as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-welbeck/sometimes-things-are-said-on-the-pitch-that-people-won-t-see-at-home/) [Danny Welbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-welbeck/) > [“Neil Mars?! I could blame him for having killer looks but he could not be faulted for this. He couldn’t have chosen that name…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rucy-ban/neil-mars-i-could-blame-him-for-having-killer-looks-but-he-could-not/) [Rucy Ban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rucy-ban/) > [That men, in reality, did not have friends in other men. 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"Look...we're just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/remind-me-again-why-do-you-hate-me-so-much-i-don-t-hate-you-could-ve/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) [Browse all 182 Banter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/banter/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Thomas hooked a thumb at Butters. \"Check out Dr. Marcus Welby, MD, here.\" \"I'd have gone with Doogie Howser, maybe,\" I said. \"Split the difference at McCoy?\" Thomas asked? \"Perfect.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jim Butcher" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/thomas-hooked-a-thumb-at-butters-check-out-dr-marcus-welby-md-here-i/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Banter" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/thomas-hooked-a-thumb-at-butters-check-out-dr-marcus-welby-md-here-i/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdd/jim-butcher-151_banter_thomas-hooked-a-thumb-at-butters-check-o_3013396.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdd/jim-butcher-151_banter_thomas-hooked-a-thumb-at-butters-check-o_3013396.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdd/jim-butcher-151_banter_thomas-hooked-a-thumb-at-butters-check-o_3013396.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Thomas hooked a thumb at Butters. \"Check out Dr. Marcus Welby, MD, here.\" \"I'd have gone with Doogie Howser…” — Jim Butcher", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jim Butcher", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Thomas hooked a thumb at Butters....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/thomas-hooked-a-thumb-at-butters-check-out-dr-marcus-welby-md-here-i/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/thomas-hooked-a-thumb-at-butters-check-out-dr-marcus-welby-md-here-i/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```