Dictionary corner for Del

They were coined by imaginary characters but have now become familiar additions to the English language - so Del Boy, Victor Meldrew and even the Terminator can take a bow as their catchphrases take pride of place in the Oxford Dictionary.

David Jason's "Luvverly jubberly!" - heard when Del from Only Fools And Horses secured either a tasty deal or a tasty lady friend - is one of more than 800 entries in the new Oxford Dictionary of Catchphrases.

"I don't believe it!" irritably voiced by Richard Wilson as Meldrew in One Foot In The Grave is also included. And thousands of dodgy impressions of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Austrian accented Terminator saying "Hasta la vista, baby" have ensured its presence.

The book, compiled by American writer Anna Farkas, includes catchphrases dating back to the 19th century, and sheds light on their origin. An Oxford University Press spokeswoman said: "The book pays homage to the human nature of adopting a common bond through language."

The source of many entries is TV culture. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? has sparked the use of "Do you want to phone a friend?" and "Is that your final answer?" in a thousand pub chats. TV chef Jamie Oliver's seal of approval "Pukka!" is in the book, as is Pop Larkin's "Perfick" - David Jason again - from The Darling Buds of May.

Comedy is a major inspiration: Basil Fawlty's "Don't mention the war" from Fawlty Towers; the naughty tailors' "Suits you, sir" from The Fast Show; and Bart Simpson's expression of derision: "Eat my shorts!"

Across Britain, Kenneth Williams's outburst "Ooh matron!" is likely to be heard whenever a double entendre is inserted into a conversation.

Viewers of cookery shows - plus Blue Peter - have kept alive "Here's one I made earlier". Out of the movies comes Cuba Gooding Jnr's "Show me the money", from Jerry Maguire.

Advertising, too, has influenced the language. Following the Budweiser beer advert, thousands suffered as "Whassup?" was yelled down mobile phones on buses. If you thought you'd heard the last of Jennifer Aniston and David Ginola as they shake their locks for L'Oreal hair products, "Because you're worth it" is in the dictionary.

And possibly surviving because of commuters' keen sense of irony is the slogan from long-defunct British Rail: "We're Getting There".