[Citation not needed]:

Hoover was a harbor seal who was able to imitate basic human speech.

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On the British comedy panel game show QI, host Stephen Fry asked the question: “What is meant by the expression “Hoover the talking seal”?” Panelist Roger McGough answered, “Well, it’s either one of those wonderful Oz expressions for throwing up: Excuse me, I’ve got to go hoover the talking seal”; to which Fry replied: “…or my wife came in just as I was hoovering the talking seal.”