World's smallest violin

“	Ohh, boo-hoo! Let me play a sad song for you on the world's smallest violin.	”
	— Mr. Krabs to Squidward, "Squilliam Returns"

The world's smallest violin is an instrument played by Mr. Krabs in the episode "Squilliam Returns."

Description

The world's smallest violin is essentially a regular violin except it is much smaller than a normal one. Despite its size, it still sounds just like a regular-sized violin. The song played on the violin is "Woe is Me!," but nearly double the speed.

Role in episode

The world's smallest violin is played a total of three times in the episode. Mr. Krabs first plays it after hearing Squidward's story on how he must beat Squilliam.

The violin is played a second time after Mr. Krabs hears Squilliam telling Squidward that he was a cashier too.

The violin is played one last time right at the end of the episode when Mr. Krabs appears by a saddened Squidward. The latter replies by saying, "Would you get out of here?!"

Trivia

General

• Mr. Krabs playing the world's smallest violin has become popular on YouTube, with videos such as remixes and longer versions.
• Mr. Krabs playing this violin might be a reference to the television series M*A*S*H, where Mj. Margaret Houlihan rubs her thumb and forefinger together and asks "Charles, do you know what this is? It's the world's smallest violin, and it's playing just for you." and the 1992 heavy R-rated film Reservoir Dogs when Mr. Pink argues about tipping the waitress and says, "You know what this is? The world's smallest violin playing just for the waitresses."
  • Coincidentally, M*A*S*H guest star Mary Jo Catlett would go on to voice Mrs. Puff, while Steve Buscemi, who portrayed Mr. Pink in that film, would later have a guest appearance as Dorsal Dan in the season 10 episode "The Getaway."
• Judging by the scale measurement to Mr. Krabs, the violin is approximately a third of a centimeter, making it truly the world's smallest violin. However, if it were real, it would be much more challenging to play, and would play at a much higher frequency.
• In Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, one of Mr. Krabs' taunts has him playing the world's smallest violin.
• In 2023, Youtooz made a toy of Mr. Krabs with the violin.
  • In 2024, a plush of Mr. Krabs with the violin was made.

Errors

• The first time the violin is shown, it is microscopic and can only be seen when zooming in at Krabs' claw. The second time the violin is shown, it is much bigger.

Gallery

• File:Squilliam Returns 191.png
• File:Squilliam Returns 199.png
• File:SB-mrkrabssmallestviolin box final-7utr.webp
• File:Mr Krabs Violin Plush.jpg