What does by the great horn spoon mean?

"By the great horn spoon" is an expression used in the classic cartoon series *The Flintstones*. It's a playful and exaggerated way to express surprise, shock, or disbelief, similar to phrases like "Holy cow!" or "Goodness gracious!"

The phrase is never actually explained in the show, but it's thought to be a play on traditional phrases like "By the Great Horned One" (referring to the devil). In the context of the Flintstones' prehistoric world, "horn spoon" likely refers to a large utensil made from the horn of a prehistoric animal.

While not a real phrase, "By the great horn spoon" has become a popular catchphrase and is often used in a humorous way.