Why Harley Quinn Calls Joker Puddin’

Harley Quinn’s relationship with the Joker is far from ideal, but they have become one of the best known villainous couples in pop culture. Harley devoted her life to Mr. J for years, and one of her terms of endearment for him, “puddin’”, has stuck with fans – but is there an origin to it? Unlike her problematic partner and other characters from Batman’s universe, Harley Quinn didn’t make her debut in the comics, instead appearing for the first time in Batman: The Animated Series, specifically in the episode “Joker’s Favor”.

Dr. Harleen Quinzel was a psychiatric intern at Arkham Asylum who became fascinated with a particular inmate: the Joker. In order to escape from Arkham, the Joker seduced her, causing her to fall madly in love with him and help him escape – multiple times. Harley became his sidekick and spent a good part of her life being totally oblivious to his psychotic nature and lack of affection for her. Harley Quinn went on to appear in other media, most recently in DC’s Suicide Squad and the upcoming Birds of Prey, played by Margot Robbie in both. The Suicide Squad version kept many of her personality traits as well as her devotion to the Joker, whom she kept called “puddin’”.

Harley affectionately calling the Joker “puddin’” has become one of her trademarks, and has even been mocked in-universe a couple of times, as the Joker is not really into it. Still, Harley has gone as far as to covering herself in pudding or wearing a choker that literally says “puddin’”, depending on the version you watch. So, is there a reason behind her calling the Joker that?

Why Harley Quinn Calls Joker Puddin’

A common misconception is that Harley calls the Joker “puddin’” because, when he was in Arkham and she was his psychiatrist, the first thing he gave her was a cup of pudding. However, neither the animated series or the graphic novel The Batman Adventures: Mad Love, which recounted the character’s origin, showed such thing. There isn’t an “origin” or explanation as to why Harley chose “puddin’” as a term of endearment for “Mistah J”, but she didn’t waste much time to call him that, as she did it right after letting all inmates escape from Arkham and presenting herself to the Joker in full Harley Quinn outfit. Maybe she just felt like calling him that.

The relationship between the Joker and Harley has always been toxic, as he repeatedly took advantage of her blind loyalty and love, and never actually loved her back. This characterization has remained consistent through most of her appearances and adaptations to other media, but that’s expected to change in Birds of Prey, which will feature a Harley Quinn who has left the Joker and is ready reinvent herself (whatever that means for her). It’s yet to be seen if she will cover those “puddin’” tattoos she has or if she will learn to live with them.

About The Author

Adrienne Tyler
(3267 Articles Published)

Adrienne Tyler is a features writer for Screen Rant. She is an Audiovisual Communication graduate who wanted to be a filmmaker, but life had other plans (and it turned out great). Prior to Screen Rant, she wrote for Pop Wrapped, 4 Your Excitement (4YE), and D20Crit, where she was also a regular guest at Netfreaks podcast. She was also a contributor for FanSided’s BamSmackPow and 1428 Elm. Adrienne is very into films and she enjoys a bit of everything: from superhero films to heartbreaking dramas, to low-budget horror films. Every time she manages to commit to a TV show without getting bored, an angel gets its wings.

When she’s not writing, you can find her trying to learn a new language, watching hockey (go Avs!), or wondering what life would have been like had Pushing Daisies, Firefly, and Limitless not been cancelled. Breakfast food is life and coffee is what makes the world go round.

Guillermo del Toro said “hi” to her once. It was great.

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