What Did Clark Griswold Call His Boss in Christmas Vacation?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re a fan of the 1989 holiday classic, Christmas Vacation, then you know that Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, has a bit of a strained relationship with his boss. Throughout the movie, Clark refers to his boss in various ways, but one particular nickname has stuck with viewers over the years.

So, what did Clark Griswold call his boss in Christmas Vacation? The answer is “Mr. Shirley.”

Now, you might be wondering where this nickname came from and why Clark would choose to call his boss by such an unusual name. In the film, Mr. Shirley is never actually seen or heard from – he’s just a name that Clark mentions in passing.

However, according to some sources, the name “Mr. Shirley” may have come from writer John Hughes’ own experiences working in advertising in Chicago. Apparently, there was a man named Mr. Shirley who worked at the agency where Hughes was employed and was known for being particularly demanding and difficult to work with.

Regardless of where the name came from, it’s clear that Clark has some serious issues with Mr. Shirley throughout Christmas Vacation. In one scene, he even imagines himself kidnapping his boss and holding him for ransom!

Of course, as with many things in Christmas Vacation, Clark’s issues with his boss are played for laughs. But it’s interesting to consider why this dynamic might resonate with so many people – after all, who hasn’t had a difficult boss at some point in their life?

Overall though, whether you love or hate Mr. Shirley (or whoever your own difficult boss might be), it’s hard to deny that Christmas Vacation is a classic holiday movie that continues to bring joy and laughter to audiences year after year.

And now you know what Clark Griswold called his boss in Christmas Vacation – so next time you watch the movie with friends or family, you can impress them with your trivia knowledge!