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Frederick F. Flintstone (usually called Fred) and also known as "Fred W. Flintstone" in at least one episode, is a fictional character, who originated in the popular television animated series The Flintstones. Fred has since appeared in various other cartoon spinoffs and commercials. He is the husband of Wilma Flintstone and father of Pebbles Flintstone. His best friends are his next door neighbours, Betty and Barney Rubble, who have a son named Bamm-Bamm. Fred lives in the fictional prehistoric city of Bedrock, a world where dinosaurs coexist with modernized barefoot cavepeople and the cavepeople enjoy "primitive" versions of modern conveniences such as telephones, automobiles and washing machines.
Fred's personality was based on that of Ralph Kramden of the 1950s television series The Honeymooners and Chester A. Riley from The Life of Riley. Thus, much like Ralph, Fred tends to be loud-mouthed, aggressive, and constantly scheming ways to improve his family's working class lot in life, often with unintended results. Fred works as a "bronto crane operator" at Slate Rock and Gravel Company (also known as Rockhead and Quarry Cave Construction Company in the earliest episodes). Fred's interests include bowling, playing pool, poker, lounging around the house, and playing golf. Of the first two he is incredibly skillful, as seen in one of the episodes where he plays against Wilma's unsuspecting mother. Also, Fred has won championships for his incredible bowling skills; in one episode, he goes so far as to take ballet lessons in order to improve his game. Fred also is an excellent golfer. In one episode he wins the championship only to have Barney repossess the winning trophy cup because Fred is behind in his dues. Fred, like Barney, was also a member of the Loyal Order of Water Buffalos Lodge and a member of the Loyal Order of Dinosaurs (clearly modeled after Freemasonry, Blanc himself was a Mason). Fred also has a serious gambling problem; the mere mention of the word "bet" causes Fred to stammer "bet" over and over again and causes him to go on gambling binges. Fred's catchphrase is "Yabba-Dabba-Doo!", which becomes the subject of a song by Hoagy Carmichael which the singer-songwriter performs in an episode of The Flintstones. Fred's ability to carry a tune was at first good. In fact he was a singer and went on tour. However as the series progressed, his voice became worse and worse, eventually to the point that his housekeeper quit rather than hear Fred sing. It was also referred to in the refrain of the George Jones song "The King is Gone".