10 phrases we used to think were cool
Phases come and go.
We’ve worn UGG boots, paid too much attention to Pokémon cards, and wasted countless quarters on mood rings. My question is this: Do these things ever go out of style, or do they stay in the ninth, second or fourth grade where we’ve left them?
I always thought things that I have obsessed over had just left the pop culture spotlight, but that all changed when I came home for break this winter.
My younger sister is in sixth grade, the flood of boys, lip-gloss and “mean girl” drama just starting to seep into her life. I can’t remember what it was, but I had said something that caused her to retort, “because yo momma said so.”
Whoa – what did she just say?
“My ‘momma’ is your ‘momma’ and she’s standing right there…” I replied.
I was baffled. How did she know this saying? She’s twelve! I remember saying that when I was twelve.
It then occurred to me that sayings, retorts and comebacks of this kind are applicable to different age groups. I realized that there were many other sayings other than “yo momma” that have come and gone from my life and the lives of my friends. They’re all pretty stupid, really.
Here’s my list of stupid sayings, phrases, tweets and status updates we used to think were cool, or just said to fit in with everybody else:
1. “Yo Momma so…”
Who came up with that, anyway? If I recall correctly, there was even an MTV reality show based around this phrase, where people would battle for the worst or funniest insults against the others’ mothers.
2. “That’s what she said.”
Mentioned countless times in the famous sitcom The Office, this saying was really long lasting and overdone [that’s what she said]. For those unaware, “she” is made to be…well, quite a promiscuous woman, and this saying is said to someone after they say something that can be twisted or misinterpreted as a sexual innuendo. Mature.
3. “That awkward moment when…”
This fad ran its course last fall on Twitter and Facebook. Someone usually starts a sentence with this when something ironic or coincidental happens, such as, “that awkward moment when you see your third grade teacher on the beach in Cabo.”
My question is – is it actually awkward for you? How many awkward moments can there be?
4. #sorrynotsorry
Preceded by the Twitter hash tag, this spaceless-phrase introduces a feeling or emotion disclaiming that the writer really doesn’t care what you think of them. It almost allows them permission in the Twitter world to say whatever they want, and almost informs you not to pass judgment because you’ve been warned. #Almost.
5. “You would.”
This is the most brainless of them all. I’ve even caught myself saying it and immediately thought, “no they wouldn’t.” People used to say “you would” when someone produced some sort of emotion or action that was seemingly typical of that person. For example, if you have a friend who is obsessed with painting her nails and you find out she bought every shade of OPI’s newest collection, you would reply, “you would.” OF COURSE SHE WOULD! …Or would she?
6. “Yeeahhhh buddy!” and “Aw yeah, (insert anything) yeah!”
Would a list be a list without some mention of Jersey Shore? It’s against my better judgment. Pauly D has a tendency for representing himself with loud, obnoxious, Tourette-like outbursts. Unfortunately, they’re catchy, and catch on like a leech.
7. “Profile picture!”
I’m hoping at least one other person agrees with me. Did you have a phase where you’d take a picture of you and a friend – maybe sporting a peace sign – look at it and say, “Ehmagawd, you totally have to make that your profile pic!” Bad, bad memories, folks.
*Whether it was MySpace or Facebook is irrelevant.
8. “Legggo.”
Chris Brown says this during the introduction of his song “Look At Me Now.” I personally thought it only caught on because of the way he says it; it has a certain twang to it that makes you want to try it out on your own. In my encounters, people have said this when trying to gather a group’s attention and say, “come on people – let’s go!”
9. “Just kidding!” or “…just kidding!”
This usually follows an insult, which the speaker may have thought was funny, or that the listener would have taken lightly. However, seeing from their facial expression – they aren’t happy. It’s like the expression, “A drunken heart is a sober mind,” AKA: you really weren’t kidding.
10. TBH
People put this as their Facebook status; it stands for “To Be Honest.” If someone has this as their status, people are encouraged to like it. For every person that likes it, the original person who put it up has to write something on all of the “likees” FB walls, relaying some sort of honest thought or memory. “TBH we were best friends in middle school, and IDK what happened. Miss ya <3”
Oh, Mark. What have you done to my generation?
Have more things to add to the list?
So does your mom.
Allie Caren is a sophomore at Syracuse University, currently majoring in English and textual studies. She most enjoys creative writing, and anything allowing her to express her self-proclaimed hilarity, witticisms, and truths about the world. Check out her blog or follow her on Twitter @alLISTENc
This story originally appeared on the USA TODAY College blog, a news source produced for college students by student journalists. The blog closed in September of 2017.