Context

This is a Sarah Palin misquote from a TV interview with Charlie Gibson (2008).

No, the real Sarah Palin didn't actually say that she "could see Russia from her house." This quote was sometimes attributed to her after Saturday Night Live aired its first sketch featuring Tina Fey doing a spot-on Sarah Palin impression in 2008. So, huge misquote, right? Not exactly.

This statement is actually kind of close to something that Sarah Palin did say during her first sit down interview as John McCain's running mate. When Charlie Gibson asked about her foreign policy credentials, Governor Palin mentioned that her home state of Alaska was actually right next to Russia:

GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions, particularly in the last couple of weeks, does the proximity of the state give you?
PALIN: They're our next-door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.

No, Sarah Palin can't see Russia from her house, but is she pretty darn close to them? You betcha.

Where you've heard it

This is a classic joke for anyone who wants to make fun of Sarah Palin. And let's face it—that's a whole lot of people.

Even Barbara Walters asked Sarah Palin about the quote in an interview.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

You don't get folksier than Sarah Palin. No one will accuse you of being pretentious if you claim to see Russia from your house. A little stupid, maybe, but never pretentious.