If you grew up watching Pinky and the Brain, there’s a high chance you remember one of the most iconic lines in cartoon history:
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
But what if we told you that line… never actually existed?
Dive Deeper
If you want a closer look at this Mandela Effect, check out this video by All Time where he breaks it down in more detail and explores why so many of us swear the line used to be “thinking.”
The Memory: “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
Many fans distinctly recall Brain turning to Pinky and saying, “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” before launching into a wild plan for world domination. It’s a phrase that’s become synonymous with their duo dynamic — one genius mouse, one lovable idiot, plotting together night after night.
But something doesn’t quite match up with the reality.
The Reality: “Are you pondering what I’m pondering?”
In the actual episodes of Pinky and the Brain, the line is consistently:
“Are you pondering what I’m pondering?”
And it’s not just once — this exact phrasing appears repeatedly throughout the series. The character Brain, voiced by Maurice LaMarche, always says “pondering,” never “thinking.”
After Brain delivers that line, Pinky responds with a hilariously absurd and unrelated answer, like:
“I think so, Brain, but where are we going to find rubber pants our size?”
“I think so, Brain, but if they called them sad meals, kids wouldn’t buy them!”
The consistent setup is always:
- Brain: “Are you pondering what I’m pondering?”
- Pinky: Something completely off-topic and ridiculous.
This isn’t a minor case of misremembering — the phrase “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” has appeared in memes, merchandise, parodies, and even fan art. The change from “thinking” to “pondering” feels like a subtle shift, but it’s jarring for those who grew up quoting the show.
Final Thoughts
This Mandela Effect reminds us how even the tiniest word change can throw off our collective memory. “Pondering” might be more in character for Brain’s intelligence, but “thinking” feels more natural to most viewers — which is likely why it’s the version so many of us remember.
Did you remember it as “thinking” or “pondering”? Let us know in the comments.
