You're the, the, the, the– [Grinch: [imitating Cindy Lou Who] "The, the, the, the–" [normal voice; loudly] THE GRINCH!] Aah! [falls down a mail shaft] Help! [Grinch: Well...] Help! [Grinch: That worked out nicely.]
Played by Taylor Momsen 
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) · 64 quotes
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) · 64 quotes
3rd most-quoted character in How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000): in 14 of its 64 quotes
Most scenes with: Grinch (10), Narrator (5), Augustus (2)
In your own words, please tell me everything you know about the Grinch.
More lines from Cindy Lou Who
2 quotesSanta Claus, what are you doing with our tree? [Narrator: But you know, that old Grinch was so smart and so slick… [Grinch coughs] ...He thought up a lie, and he thought it up quick.] [Grinch: [imitating Santa] Why-hy-hyy, my sweet little tot!] [Narrator: The fake Santa Claus lied.] [Grinch: There's a light on this tree that won't... light on one side, so I'm taking it home to my w-wo-orkshop, my dear. [laughs and Cindy giggles] I'll fix it up there… and I'll bring it... back here.] Santa, what's Christmas really about? [Grinch: [pops out through the tree, startling Cindy] Vengeance! Er, I mean… presents... I suppose.] I was afraid of that. [Narrator: And his fib fooled the child. Then he patted her head, and he got her a drink and he sent her to bed.] Santa? [Grinch: [sharply] What?!] Don't forget the Grinch. I know he's mean, and hairy and scary... His hands might be cold and clammy. But I think he's actually... sweet. [Grinch: "Sweet"!? You think he's sweet?] Merry Christmas, Santa.
Scenes with Cindy Lou Who
11 scenes
[after Max scared off some teen Whos]
Well done, Max! Serves them right, those yuletide-loving... sickly-sweet, nog-sucking cheer mongers! [picks up an onion] I really don't like 'em. Mm-mm. No, I don't. [eats the onion] MAX! [Max whimpers] Get my cloak. [Max runs back inside] I've been much too tolerant of these Who-venile delinquents, and their innocent, victim-less pranks. [rubs his pits with the onion] So they wanna get to know me, do they? [throws away the onion] They want to spend a little quality time with the Grinch. [turns to the camera] I guess I could use a little... social interaction. [shows off a sinister-looking smile; the scene fades to Whoville with a view of Max and the Grinch's feet]
Whoville Bike Men
Merry Christmas!
Oh, yeah. You bet, and ho, ho, ho, and... stuff. [The bikers fall down, blocking traffic.] Oh, my. Someone has vandalized that vehicle. You see, Max? The city is a dangerous place.
The Grinch hated Christmas. The whole Christmas season.
Who Officer
Top of the day.
Flatfoot.
Now, please, don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
[gives two Who girls a bandsaw]
Hey, kids. Here's a present for ya. Be sure to run real fast with it now. All right, come on. Double time. Let's go! Move, move, move, move, move!
It could be that his head wasn't screwed on just right. Or it could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. But I think that the most likely reason of all...
Who Merry Christmas!
Is it?
...May have been that his heart was 2 sizes too small.
Whoville Hat Salesman
Hey, stranger! Won't let you go until you buy a chapeau! [The Grinch pulls off his mask, loudly belches, blows odor on him, making him fall. The Grinch pulls his mask back on, and laughs evilly.]
Cindy Lou Who But, Dad, I just don't understand something. Why won't anyone talk about the Grinch?
Lou Lou Who
[puts stuff inside]
You kids and the Grinch. You see, Cindy, the Grinch is a Who who... well, is actually not a Who. He's... He's more of a…
Cindy Lou
A what?
Lou
Exactly, honey. And he's a What who... doesn't like Christmas. Take a look at his mailbox, sweetie. Not a single Christmas card in or out... ever.
Cindy
But why?
Lou
Well…
Post Office Person
Lou, where's my mail?
Post Office Person 2
Lou, I got the wrong mail here!
Post Office Person 3
Lou, I got the wrong mail!
Lou
Uh, I'll be right there. Whoop!
Post Office Person 4
We got a problem!
Lou
All right. Uh, we'll straighten this out.
[at the back room of the post office with Max by the sorting machine; laughing evilly]
It'll take them years to sort this out. This is his and now it's yours, and this is hers and now it's his! [laughs schemingly] And for the rest of you... [turns around by the sorting machine, then starts throwing everyone's mail in the wrong boxes] ...Jury duty, Jury duty, Jury duty, blackmail, pink slip, chain letter, eviction notice, Jury duty! [throws more mail into the wrong boxes as he emits a light giggle of amusement] Gee-e-e-e-e-eee…!
Lou Lou Who
Would you mind helping me? Take this to the back room, honey. But, be careful of the sorting machine, right?
Cindy
Yeah.
Cindy
[Max growls; this causes Cindy Lou to see the Grinch and Max, and she screams, and the Grinch screams back; drops down to the ground and snorts.]
You're the, the, the, the…
Cindy
Aah! [falls down a mail shaft] Help!
Well...
Cindy
Help!
...That worked out nicely.
Cindy
Help! [big stamp stamps fragile on present; muffled] Help me! Somebody!
Cindy
Help me! Please! Help!
[sees Max biting his own cloak]
That is not a chew toy! Stop it, Max! Get that out of your mouth! You have no idea where it's been!
Cindy
[Cindy screams, and a whistle blows]
Help!
Cindy
Help! Help!
[saves Cindy]
There. [takes back his goofy mask] Give me that! DON'T YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO TAKE THINGS THAT DON'T BELONG TO YOU?! WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU, YOU SOME KIND OF WILD ANIMAL?! HUH?!
Cindy
[shaking her head]
Uh-uh.
Cindy
Thanks for saving me.
[screeches to a stop, fingers scrape against glass, turns around angrily]
Saving you? Is that what you think I was doing?
Cindy
[nods]
Uh-huh.
[wags finger]
Wrong-o. [grabs wrapping paper] I merely noticed that you were improperly packaged, my dear! [begins wrapping Cindy Lou wildly in wrapping paper] DRAT! Hold still! [stops wrapping, to Max] Max, pick out a bow! [resumes wrapping Cindy Lou in wrapping paper, stops] Can I use your finger for a second?
Cindy
Hello? Hello!
Lou Lou Who
[enters back room]
Cindy?
Cindy
Dad. [Lou sees her covered in gift wrapping that the Grinch wrapped her up with earlier] Daddy! Daddy!
Lou Lou Who
What the hey? Honey? Cindy?
Cindy
[removes gift wrapping]
Dad, it was amazing!
Lou
You've been practicing your Christmas wrapping. Honey, I'm so proud of you.
Cindy
Uh… Oh. Well…
Lou
Now that's holiday!
Sweet little Cindy didn't know what to do. In her head bum-tumbled a conflict or two; "If the Grinch was so bad, then why did he save me? Maybe he wasn't so bad."
Lou
Come on, let's go home.
"Maybe. Just maybe."
[trying to drown out the Whos' singing, turns on a mechanical monkey that plays cymbals]
Play, monkey! Play! Play, play, play! [rides a jackhammer while vocalizing; he soon wipes out] OWWIEE!!
Cindy [knocks on the door]
Mr. Grinch? [knocks on the door again] Mr. Grinch! [opens Max's doggie door] Hello? [crawls into the Grinch's cave; she finds him standing with his head in the path of the monkey's cymbals, yelling gibberish each time they hit his head. Taps his shoulder] Excuse me?
Hmm? [sticks his head out and grabs the monkey's cymbals; the monkey short-circuits and it's motor slowly powers down; turns slowly to Cindy with a furious look as the monkey's motor stops] Hello... little girl. [angrily] HOW DARE YOU ENTER THE GRINCH'S LAIR?! THE IMPUDENCE! THE AUDACITY! THE UNMITIGATED GALL! You've called down the thunder. Now, get ready... FOR THE BOOOOOOM! Gaze into the face... of fear. BOOGA-BOOGA!
Cindy [calmly]
Mr. Grinch, my name is Cindy Lou Who.
Cindy I'm not scared.
Denial is to be expected in the face of pure evil. [makes psychotic growling noises]
Cindy I don't think so!
Doubt?! Another unmistakable sign of the heebie-jeebies! Now, you're doomed. [jumps out of frame, then jumps back in wearing a white t-shirt and making animalistic noises, ripping the shirt apart] RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, BEFORE I KILL AGAIN! [howls] I'm a psycho. [growls, puts shirt in his mouth, spits it out, jumps around Cindy Lou frantically] Danger, danger! [repeatedly growls, but suddenly stops as he is out of breath]
Cindy Um... maybe you need a time-out. [giggles after the Grinch looks dumbfounded]
[aside, to the camera; breaking the fourth wall again]
Kids today. So desensitized by movies and television. (Anyways…) [to Cindy] WHAT DO YOU WANT?! [echoes]
Cindy Mr. Grinch, I came to invite you... to be Holiday Cheermeister.
Uh... "Holiday whobie whatie"?
Cindy Cheermeister.
Huh? "C(ordially invites you to be Holiday C)heermeister( at the Whobilation 1,000 Celebration). Celebrate (and dine) with friends." [laughing raucously] AAH!! That's a good one. [wheezes]
Cindy [following him]
I know you hate Christmas, but what if it's all just a misunderstanding?
Don't care.
Cindy I mean, I myself am having some Yuletide doubts. [Grinch makes snoring noises] But maybe if you can reunite with the Whos and be a part of Christmas...
[mimics Cindy in a nasally voice]
"Maybe if you can reunite with the Whos and be a part of Christmas…" [normal voice] Grow up!
Cindy ...then maybe it'll be all right for me too!
I'm sorry, your session is over. Please make another appointment with the receptionist on the way out.
Cindy Please, please! You have to accept the award!
[gasps; stops in surprise]
"Award"? [rapidly grabs and dips Cindy attentively] You never mentioned... an award.
Cindy Yeah, with a trophy and everything.
And I won?
Cindy You won!
That means there were losers.
Cindy I guess. So, if you come--
[gleefully]
A town full of losers! I like it! Was anyone... emotionally shattered? (Well...?) Come on! A minute ago, I couldn't shut you up! Details, details!
Cindy Well, the Mayor wasn't happy.
Cindy [smiling]
Martha May will be there.
Cindy [nodding]
Mm-hm.
And she'll see me... a winner.
Cindy [nods again]
She'll be on me like fleegle flies on a flat-faced floogle horse! [dramatically] WELL, I'M SORRY TO DISAPPOINT YOU, MARTHA BABY, BUT THE G-TRAIN HAS LEFT THE STATION!
Cindy So will you come?
[Cindy giggles] [leading her to the front door, acting happy]
I don't know if it's that adorable twinkle in your eye, or that nonconformist streak that reminds me of a younger less hairy me, but you've convinced me! Who knows? This Whobilation could change my entire outlook on life!
Cindy Really?
[grumpy again]
No. [pulls a rope, opening up the garbage chute beneath her and sending her back to Whoville]
[to Whos]
Boo. [the crowd screams in horror] Hmm. Hot crowd, hot crowd. I believe I'm here to... [licks chops] ...accept an award of some kind. And... the child... mentioned a check?
Cindy No, I didn't.
Alright, then. Give me the award. COME ON. WHILE I'M YOUNG!
Don't you worry, Mr. Holiday Cheermeister, you'll get your award. But first, a little family reunion. They nursed you, they clothed you. Here they are, your old biddies!
Are you two still living?
...The old Grinchy Claus hissed, and he climbed to the roof, empty bags in his fist. [the Grinch prepares to go down the chimney with rope on his feet]He'd slide down the chimney, a rather tight pinch.But if Santa could do it, then so could the Grinch.
[imitating sports announcer]
He's planning a double-twisting interrupted by forward-flying 2 1/2 with a combo tuck and pike. High degree of difficulty. [jumps high in the air as bungee jumping while vocalizing] Whoo! [leans closer to the chimney] ♪ LAA-LAAA-LAAAAAAA!! ♪ [lands in the chimney upside down, and gets stuck since he gained a couple of pounds from the Whobilation]
He got stuck only once... for a moment or two.
Blasted water weight. Goes right to my hips. [struggles his arms to free himself as he slides down and lands and hits his head by the fireplace] Ow! Gee! [looks at the view of the living room]
Then he stuck his head out of the fireplace flue...
These stockings...
...Are the first thing to go. [picks out a jar of moths] Okay, fellas. Chow time. [frees the moths, sticks his head back up just as the moths eat the stockings. Then, the Grinch lowers a hose, and sucks everything into his bag, as he laughs evilly]
Then he slunk to the icebox. [The Grinch hugs the fridge into place.]
Slunk? [opens up the fridge] Eee.
He eyed the Whos' feast.He took the Who-Pudding. [The Grinch throws a plate of Who pudding away.]He took... the Roast Beast.
[as the Grinch messes everything up the fridge]
He cleaned out that icebox as quick as a flash.Why, that Grinch, he even took their last can of Who-Hash. [The Grinch opens up the cupboard to reveal a last can of Who-Hash inside in it just as Cindy opens her bedroom door.]Then he stuffed all the food up the chimney with glee.
And now...
Grinned The Grinch.
And the Grinch grabbed the tree, and he started to shove!When he heard a small sound like the coo of a dove.
Cindy Excuse me.
Eee! [stops and hides behind the tree]
The Grinch had been caught by this tiny Who daughterwho'd got out of bed for a cup of cold water.
Cindy Santa Claus, what are you doing with our tree?
But you know, that old Grinch was so smart and so slick...[Grinch coughs]...He thought up a lie, and he thought it up quick.
The fake Santa Claus lied.
...There's a light on this tree that won't... light on one side, so I'm taking it home to my w-wo-orkshop, my dear. [laughs and Cindy giggles]I'll fix it up there… and I'll bring it... back here.
Cindy Santa, what's Christmas really about?
Cindy Hmm. I was afraid of that.
And his fib fooled the child.Then he patted her head, and he got her a drink and he sent her to bed.
Cindy Santa?
Cindy Don't forget the Grinch. I know he's mean and hairy and smelly. His hands might be cold and clammy… but I think he's actually kinda... sweet.
"Sweet"?! You think he's sweet?
Cindy (Mm-hm.)
Merry Christmas, Santa.
[Grinch flinches, covers his ears and groans, but Cindy Lou goes back to bed.]
And when Cindy Lou went up with her cup...
Nice kid. Bad judge of character.
...He went to the chimney and stuffed the tree up. [the Grinch stuffs the tree up the Chimney, grabs the Christmas lights and goes up the chimney] (Then he went up the chimney himself, the old liar.)And the last thing he took was the log for their fire.On their walls, he left nothing but some hooks and some wire.And the one speck of food that he'd left in the house was a crumb, that was even too small for a mouse.Then he slithered and slunk with a smile most unpleasant, around each Who home, and he took every present.
[uses a saw to cut a hole with a Christmas tree on top of it, and it falls down as the he emerges from the hole]
Clearance sale. Everything must go. [sucks up Christmas stuff even a cat on a chair, and takes it out.] What... now? [a cat attacks his face]
[The scene cuts to the Grinch snatching the ring in a box away from Martha, then forms an oval on the window with hands pressed by the glass while sucking on it. He opens the bedroom door to the Mayor of Whoville, and chortles in amusement, but quickly covers his mouth as Augustus talks in his sleep]
Martha, have you ever kissed a man who lost his tonsils twice?
[imitating Martha May Whovier]
No, silly. [picks up Max] But it's an experience that I've always longed for. Kiss me, you fool! [This makes Max's grow big eyes, making the Mayor holding up bright teeth as the Grinch puts a hook on the bottom of the bed.]
Now, for the final note in my symphony of downright nasty not-niceness, the crescendo of my odious opus! [starts pushing the sled] Oh, the wailing and the gnashing of teeth. The bellowing of the bitterly bummed out! It'll be like music to my ears! [strains harder, and stops to hear faint singing] (Hmm...?)
Then the Grinch heard a sound rising over the snow.It started in low.Then it started to grow.
Huh? Whuh?
But the sound wasn't sad.Why, this sounded merry...but it was merry. Very.Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small was singing without any presents at all.He hadn't stopped Christmas from coming.It came.
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
Cindy [looking up at the Grinch's sled]
Mr. Grinch!
And the Grinch, with his Grinch feet ice-cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling.
How could it be so?It came without ribbons.It came without tags.It came without packages, boxes or bags!
And he puzzled and puzzled, 'till his puzzler was sore.Then the Grinch... thought of something... he hadn't before.
Maybe... Christmas...
He thought.
...Doesn't...come from a store.Maybe Christmas...perhaps... [warmly] ...Means a little bit more. [gets a sudden thump in his chest] Max, help me! I'm... feeling! [wheezes, and sees his small heart growing]
And what happened then?Well, in Whoville they sayThat the Grinch's small heart... grew 3 sizes... that day.
[puts his hand by his body, sits up, begins crying, and bawls]
What's happening to me? [stops crying, and notices the sun rising] I'm all... toasty inside. [feels a tear] And I'm leaking. Oh, Max. I love ya!
[last lines]
So, he brought back the toys, and the food for the feast.And he, he himself, the Grinch carved the Roast Beast.
Yeah. [everyone cheers] There's nothing like the Holidays. Who wants the gizzard?!
Who I do.
Too late! That'll be mine.
Extended version[edit]
Cindy Lou Who [singing]
♪ Where are you, Christmas, why can't I find you? Why have you gone away? My world is changing, I'm rearranging. Does that mean Christmas changes, too? ♪
♪ Where are you, Christmas? Do you remember the girl you used to know? You and I we're so carefree, now, nothing's easy. Did Christmas change or just me? ♪
[trying to drown out the Whos' singing, turns on a giant mechanical Jolly Chimp with cymbals]
Play, monkey! Play! Play, play, play! [He rides a jackhammer while vocalizing; he soon wipes out] OWWIEE!!
Cindy [knocks on the door]
Mr. Grinch? [knocks on the door again] Mr. Grinch! [opens Max's doggie door] Hello? [crawls into the Grinch's cave; she finds him standing with his head in the path of the Jolly Chimp's cymbals, yelling gibberish each time they hit his head. Taps his shoulder] Excuse me?
Hmm? [He sticks his head out and grabs the Jolly Chimp's cymbals; the Jolly Chimp short-circuits, and the motor slowly powers down; turns slowly to Cindy with a furious look as the monkey's motor stops] Hello...little girl. [bellows] HOW DARE YOU ENTER THE GRINCH'S LAIR?!THE IMPUDENCE! THE AUDACITY! THE UNMITIGATED GALL! You've called down the thunder. Now, get ready... FOR THE BOOOOOOM! Gaze into the face...of fear. BOOGA-BOOGA!
Cindy [calmly and politely]
Mr. Grinch, my name is Cindy Lou Who.
Cindy I'm not scared.
Denial is to be expected in the face of pure evil. [He makes psychotic growling noises]
Cindy I don't think so.
Doubt?! Another unmistakable sign of the heebie-jeebies! Now, you're doomed. [He jumps out of frame, then jumps back in, wearing a white t-shirt and making animalistic noises, ripping the shirt apart] RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, BEFORE I KILL AGAIN! [howls] I'm a psycho. [He growls, puts a shirt in his mouth, spits it out, jumps around Cindy Lou frantically] Danger, danger! [He repeatedly growls, but suddenly stops as he is out of breath]
Cindy Um, maybe you need a time-out. [giggles after the Grinch looks dumbfounded]
[aside, to the camera; breaking the fourth wall again]
Kids today. So desensitized by movies and television. [to Cindy; bellows] WHAT DO YOU WANT?! [echoes]
Cindy Mr. Grinch, I came to invite you... to be Holiday Cheermeister.
Uh... "Holiday" who-bie what-ie?
Cindy Cheermeister.
Huh? "(Cordially invites you to be our Holiday) Cheermeister( at the Who Whobilation 1,000 celebration). Celebrate (and dine) with friends( at 7:30 P.M)." [laughing raucously] AAH!! That's a good one. [wheezes]
Cindy [following him]
I know you hate Christmas, but what if it's all just a misunderstanding?
Don't care.
Cindy I mean, I myself am having some Yuletide doubts. [Grinch makes snoring noises] But maybe if you can reunite with the Whos and be a part of Christmas...
[mimics Cindy in a nasally voice]
"Maybe if you can reunite with the Whos and be a part of Christmas--" [normal voice] Grow up!
Cindy ...then maybe it'll be all right for me, too!
I'm sorry, your session is over. Please make another appointment with the receptionist on the way out.
Cindy Please, please! You have to accept the award!
[gasps; stops in surprise]
"Award"? [rapidly grabs and dips Cindy attentively] You never mentioned...an award.
Cindy Yeah, with a trophy and everything.
And I won?
Cindy You won!
That means there were losers.
Cindy I guess. So, if you come--
[gleefully]
A town full of losers! I like it! Was anyone... emotionally shattered? Come on! A minute ago, I couldn't shut you up! Details, details!
Cindy Well, the Mayor wasn't happy.
Cindy [smiling]
Martha May will be there.
Cindy [nodding]
Mm-hm.
And she'll see me. A winner. [Cindy nods again] She'll be on me like Fleegle flies on a flat-faced floogle horse! [dramatically] WELL, I'M SORRY TO DISAPPOINT YOU, MARTHA BABY, BUT THE G-TRAIN HAS LEFT THE STATION!
Cindy So will you come?
[Cindy giggles] [leading her to the front door, acting happy]
I don't know if it's that adorable twinkle in your eye, or that nonconformist streak that reminds me of a younger less hairy me, but (maybe) you've convinced me! Who knows? This Whobilation could change my entire outlook on life!
Cindy Really?
[grumpy again]
No(, but I'll still think about it). [pulls a rope, opening up the garbage chute beneath her and sending her back to Whoville]
Cindy [as she slides down the chute]
Aaaah!
