We all use phrases from TV or movies such as in the Capital One commercial “What’s in your wallet?” Catchphrases are part of the common culture. They make us happy and amused when we use them. (1) We use them to connect with people. But drop one of these gems on someone not in the know and you might as well be speaking Klingon. You get blank stares from the under-30 crowd or the dreaded “OK, Boomer” eye roll.
Take hubby’s enthusiastic compliment to a customer service agent, “I’ll give you a rating of 11!” (referring to the movie This is Spinal Tap) (2). The agent, likely a grandkid’s age, said, “huh?” Even people our age might not get it. Spinal Tap, a mockumentary from the mid-80s, humorously exaggerated amplifier settings to go beyond the typical 10, reflecting something better than the best. But these days, with ratings max out at five stars and volume ratings can go to 100%, so for a Gen-Z it’s a head-scratcher.
Then there’s my friend, texting her son-in-law that she’d be home “faster than a speeding bullet.” Classic Superman reference, right? Well, not everyone’s up on their 1950s TV trivia. While anyone would understand faster than a speeding bullet is really fast, people under 30 might not get the connection to Superman. On Quora, user Wayward Sword said, “I don't remember that phrase actually, but that's because I was born in the '90s.” (4) I’m curious to know if her son-in-law knew the Superman reference.
Our hairdresser named her cat Elly May, and someone joked about the cat hanging around the cement pond like in The Beverly Hillbillies, the 1960s sitcom. Someone younger than 60 might wonder, “What is a cement pond, and why would a cat hang around it?”
Remember the old saying, “It’s a gas”? Back in the day, it meant a riot of a time, not literal flatulence. I laughed when a younger generation guy seriously interpreted the Rolling Stones song Jumpin' Jack Flash, it’s a gas, gas, gas to mean Jack Flash farted every time he jumped. You can see how Gen Z and millennials can misinterpret what we say.
Here are some expressions from our past that may make millennials think we are nuts.
Where’s the Beef? (from 1984 Wendy’s commercial)
It just goes to show you, It’s always something. (SNL – Gilda Radner as Rosanna Rosannadanna see Weekend update King Tut sketch – hysterical – watch it)
Candygram – the Landshark skits from SNL. (There is a 1-800-Candy-gram.com and Western Union created the CandyGram in 1959.) (5) but a younger person might wonder why you say Candygram and why you say it in that clipped form.
You’ve got some splaining to do – from I Love Lucy (apparently Ricky never said that on the show – see 9 Famous Catchphrases that were never actually said on their shows)
And now for something completely different – from Monty Python’s Flying Circus
How many of these phrases are you familiar with? Do you use them?
Some younger people are into retro culture, some might just think we are strange. But others get downright annoyed. Check these phrases posted on Quora that young people say “can die with the ME generation" (that means us). (6)
As all get out - As in hot AAGO, mean AAGO. The poster said “WTF* does that mean?
Working hard or hardly working? - "(Obligatory self-delighted chuckle immediately following, every single goddamn time…) They LOVE saying that to cashiers. It's annoying AF** hearing that shit all day, every day. And then they get mad that the cashier doesn't giggle like a ringtailed idiot and tell them how clever they are, and they cry to the manager." (What's a ringtailed idiot?)
Having fun yet? - "Asked in passing at work, all the time. Not sure why but this particular phrase is especially grating to me."
That cotton picking ( insert object of frustration. Usually car for my dad) - "I'll tell you what... Dog gone it. someone else added: “You must be out of your cotton-picking’ mind!” My what now?"
Of course, younger people use cultural phrases we might not understand.
Sus – suspect or suspicious
* From above, WTF – what the F#*$
** From above, AF – As F#*$
Rizz - I just learned this today. Oxford English Dictionary's word of the year. Means Charisma, the ability to charm or woo a person.
Throwing Shade – to express contempt or disrespect for someone publicly especially by subtle or indirect insults or criticism.
Dope – means something is exceptional. The Oxford English Dictionary first cited dope in 1981 to mean excellent, great, etc. It was first used by rap musicians. (7)
That’s off the chain – again, originating with rap became associated with enthusiasm and admiration for something that exceeded expectations or was particularly impressive. Mel B, a judge on America’s Got Talent used the phrase frequently and it became a mainstream catchphrase.
So, while catchphrases can make us happy, amuse us, and connect us to people in our generation they can leave others feeling like we’re stuck in a time warp. Whatever. They sure keep conversations interesting!
References
Christopher Peterson, Ph.D., Catchphrases, Psychology Today, August 30, 2012
This is Spinal Tap, Wikipedia.org, The movie was highly acclaimed and on Roger Ebert’s Great Movies list in 2001.
Clip from This is Spinal Tap – The band leader describes to Rob Reiner that his special amps got to 11.
Remember when Superman had three powers?, Quora, 2021
Harold D. Wallace, Love the Lines, Natural Museum of American History, February 10, 2015
Dope, English.stackexchange.com,
Sara Crow, 50 Outdated Words that Instantly Age You, Bestlife online, November 8, 2020
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