The phrase "I can hardly wait" is notably associated with two main contexts:
- "I Can Hardly Wait" is a 1943 short comedy film featuring The Three Stooges (Moe, Larry, and Curly). The plot revolves around Curly suffering a toothache and the hilarious attempts by the Stooges and dentists to extract the tooth, culminating in slapstick chaos.
- "Can't Hardly Wait" is a 1998 American teen romantic comedy film set at a high school graduation party, following various characters’ intertwining stories. It has an ensemble cast including Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ethan Embry and is known as a nostalgic late-90s teen movie.
In everyday conversation, "I can hardly wait" expresses eager anticipation or excitement for something to happen.