A few weeks ago, I began a social experiment. Since then, I’ve heard this statement directed at me several times:

“What the hell is wrong with you?”

What terrible faux pas has brought about so much verbal aggression? Was I abusing animals? Beating women? Driving drunk? Not even close.

All I did was admit that I’d never seen “The Princess Bride.”

It’s hard to imagine not seeing a movie causing so much hardship in people’s lives. But when the movie is a cherished memory for many people, it can become downright hostile.

Responses have ranged from questions about a sheltered childhood to queries about fundamentalist parents. And, of course, there’s the standard one-liner that only works in this situation:

“Inconceivable!”

The truth is, none of the above are true. I’ve lived a fairly normal life; I wasn’t raised in a religiously oppressive household and I’ve seen the same movies as most people. But the fact that I didn’t know the difference between the Pit of Despair and the Cliffs of Insanity branded me an outcast.

Thanks to a sweetheart of a girlfriend who didn’t want me to feel left out, I’ve now joined this exclusive society. As of last week, I’ve learned two new things — never get involved in a land war in Asia and, although slightly less well-known, never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line.

Now I know how the kid who was always picked last in gym class felt. It’s a strange feeling growing up outside the status quo. Apparently, watching a fairy tale starring Andre the Giant and the kid from “The Wonder Years” is some weird rite of passage.

It’s easy to play the victim in a situation like this, but I have also been the aggressor. My roommate, Luke, has never seen the original “Star Wars” trilogy. I’ve tried to correct this social ineptitude several times, but to no avail. He may be named after one of the film’s principal characters, but telling him I’m his daddy in the Darth Vader voice still isn’t enough to make him watch. But maybe it’s for the best.

We all have our favorite memories, crafted over time by our friends, family and life lessons. For some, it’s growing up in rural Iowa without cable, sentenced to a life of edited-for-TV movies. For others, it’s buying edited CDs at Wal-Mart and never quite understanding why a rapper like Tupac never used any naughty words.

Regardless of past experiences, pop culture gives us the chance to share our love of cult entertainment with friends. Having an endless source of catch phrases is what keeps our eyes on the screen and our ears to the speaker.

Entertainment gives you the chance to shape an imaginary world around you, well, as you wish.