I think incorporating these speech patterns or Tom's argot (thanks, college!) is totally appropriate and to be expected, given how much time you spend listening to Tom.
I am not joking or lying when I say this--I listen to some version or aspect of Best Show every single day of my life. It's no wonder, then, that things that are revolting to me become "sickening, physically sickening", or that I yell, "Wait....what?!" at my family ad infinitum. This shit just happens, and in fact, it's how language actually changes and is adapted, quite naturally.
It's when you pass of a 'bit' as one of your own, that's when it gets a little too....uh...out of focus.
Here's my last little BS inspired endeavor: I play music (like 94% of the duuuuudes here, I'm sure), and I wrote a song that needed a chorus. Literally the only thing that fit the song, that made sense, was "I've literally been in 1000 fights." It was actually perfect, and was just, you know, the CHORUS of this song. I had to explain to my band that this was in tribute (or cribbed) from this show I listen to, and that we can call it something different, all that jazz. I think they tuned me out. There is no connection b/t the song and the Best Show for them.
At a show, though, one clever dude figured it out, and that was kinda nice.
In this case I'd say it's complete inspiration. Thinking of Hugman's story, and the subject matter of the song (hint: COKE COKE COKE). I'm proud of it!
Look for it on vinyl by the end of the year!
Ike
