Mamma mia is one of Mario's signature catchphrases from Nintendo's Super Mario series, popularised in the 3D games of the 1990s when Charles Martinet gave the character his cheerful voiced lines. The phrase, an Italian expression of surprise, became tied to Mario's personality and was repeated across platformers, kart racers and party games. Short clips of the line later spread on soundboards and in video edits, where its instant recognition made it a shorthand reaction for slip-ups, near misses and playful bad luck.