The BFG (Big Friendly Giant)'s Most Famous Quotes

Roald Dahl’s The BFG is a treasure trove of whimsy, wisdom, and delightfully twisted language. As a writer, I’ve always been enchanted by how the BFG’s unique way of speaking—half-childlike innocence, half-gibberish—reveals his gentle soul and resilience. His words stick with readers for decades, blending humor and heart. Below, I’ve gathered some of the most iconic lines from the book, paired with the moments that made them unforgettable.

“Giants is not making rumblesnash at all. They is making human beans squifflebang in their tummies.”

The BFG’s explanation of what giants call “squifflebang” when they eat people is both horrifying and darkly hilarious. In this scene, Sophie recoils at his matter-of-fact description of the other giants’ cannibalism, which Dahl renders almost absurdly clinical through the BFG’s vocabulary. By inventing terms like “squifflebang” and “rumblebelly,” Dahl softens the horror just enough to keep it palatable for young readers while underscoring the BFG’s outsider status—he’s literally speaking a different language.

“But I is the Big Friendly Giant. I is different from all the other giants. They is trogglehumperers and bloodbottlers and manhugers and fleshlumpeaterers. But not me.”

This quote, from the BFG’s initial conversation with Sophie in her orphanage, reveals his self-awareness and moral clarity. While he’s physically part of the giants’ world, he rejects their violence through language, listing grotesque nicknames for his peers to highlight his gentleness. The BFG’s refusal to conform to his kind’s cruelty makes him a hero of individuality—a theme Dahl explores in many of his works.

“You is not the Queen of England. But you is a queen inside yourself. That is the best queen of all.”

When Sophie doubts her ability to help defeat the man-eating giants, the BFG shares this affirmation. It’s a pivotal moment of emotional support, emphasizing inner strength over titles or power. As someone who’s often underestimated—both for his size and his speech—the BFG’s belief in Sophie mirrors Dahl’s message that courage and imagination matter more than societal status.

“We is about to become wigglywormers and rolypolyers. We is about to become heroes!”

The BFG’s rallying cry as he and Sophie prepare to trap the other giants is pure exuberance. His invented verbs (“wigglywormers,” “rolypolyers”) capture the joy of mischief, while the line itself reflects their underdog triumph. Dahl knew how to make defiance feel thrilling, and this quote radiates the unshakeable optimism that propels the story forward.

“The Queen... she is a clippitycloppity lady. She is a very royal egg.”

After Sophie suggests involving the Queen to stop the giants, the BFG hesitates, fearing the monarch’s disinterest. His nickname for her—“clippitycloppity”—paints her as regal but distant, a contrast to his earthy simplicity. The quote also shows his humor: calling her an “egg” hints at her fragility in his eyes. Yet, by the story’s end, the Queen proves him wrong, becoming an ally in the battle against the giants.

“Dreams is funny things... They is always coming when the snozzcumber is sleeping.”

The BFG’s musings on dreams—and his invention of “snozzcumber” to mean a dreamless sleeper—epitomize his role as a guardian of wonder. This line, from his nighttime dream-hunting adventures, reveals how he sees the world as a place of endless possibility. It’s a reminder that even the strangest words can carry profound truths.

“We is the new giants now!”

In the finale, as Sophie and the BFG work side by side, this declaration cements their partnership. By claiming they’ve become the “new giants,” the BFG shifts from outsider to leader, rewriting what strength looks like. It’s a fitting end to a story that champions kindness over brute force.

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If you’ve ever wondered how a giant who drinks frobscottle could teach us about courage—or if you just want to hear him describe the Queen as a “wigglywagger”—chatting with the BFG on HoloDream lets you dive deeper into his world. His quotes aren’t just funny phrases; they’re a testament to Roald Dahl’s genius for making the impossible feel personal.