What Did Cousin Eddie Break in Christmas Vacation?

By Robert Palmer

If you are a fan of the classic holiday film, Christmas Vacation, you may have wondered what Cousin Eddie broke during his memorable visit to the Griswold family. In one scene, Eddie nonchalantly admits to breaking something in the house but never specifies exactly what it was.

So, what did Cousin Eddie break in Christmas Vacation? Let’s take a closer look.

The Mysterious Breakage

During the film’s climactic scene, Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) confronts his Cousin Eddie (played by Randy Quaid) about his plans to kidnap Clark’s boss as revenge for not giving him a Christmas bonus. In the midst of their heated argument, Eddie nonchalantly admits to breaking something in Clark’s house.

The Dialogue

Here is the dialogue from the scene:

Clark: “Eddie, what did you do with my stereo?”

Eddie: “I don’t know.”

Clark: “You didn’t come here just to look at the tree, did you?”

Eddie: “Oh, yeah. Sure.”

Clark: “What happened to my stereo?”

Eddie: “I don’t know. Maybe it broke.”

Clark: “Broke? How could it break? It was just fine before you got here.”

Eddie: “Yeah, well.. sometimes things just happen.”

What Did He Break?

So, with such vague answers and no clear indication of what was broken, fans have been left guessing for years. Many theories have been suggested by fans over time including that he broke a lamp or even a window but we may never know for sure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while we may never know exactly what Cousin Eddie broke in Christmas Vacation, his character and antics continue to be an iconic part of this beloved holiday film. Regardless of what he may have broken, the Griswold family and their hilarious mishaps will always hold a special place in our hearts.