Certain phrases that were once common can now make you sound like you’ve stepped out of a time capsule. While there’s nothing wrong with a bit of nostalgia, using outdated expressions can unintentionally reveal your age or make you seem out of touch.
“Tape it”
In this time of digital streaming and cloud storage, referring to recording something as “taping it” is a blast from the past. The phrase comes from the days of VHS tapes, when you would physically record shows on video cassettes.
“Long-distance call”
Once upon a time, making a call to someone far away was a big deal because of the cost involved, and the phrase “long-distance call” would trigger thoughts of high fees and time limits. Nowadays, most phone plans cover international calls, and with apps like WhatsApp or Zoom, we can video chat with people halfway across the globe for free.
“Rolodex”
If you say you’re adding someone to your Rolodex, prepare for blank stares from younger generations. The Rolodex was once a handy device for keeping business cards and contact details, but it’s long been replaced by digital address books and smartphone contacts.
“Don’t touch that dial”
This one harks back to the early days of television and radio when you’d physically turn a dial to change channels or tune in to the right station, but today’s remotes and voice-activated assistants have made this phrase completely irrelevant. Younger people might not even realise what a “dial” refers to in this context.
“Hanging up the phone”
Phones haven’t required actual “hanging up” for quite some time now, even though, back in the day, you’d physically place the phone back on the receiver to end a call, but now we just press a button or tap the screen. Saying you’re going to “hang up” might still be understood, but it can make you sound like you’re reminiscing about rotary phones and landlines.
“The bees’ knees”
This playful expression, meaning something is excellent or the best, was all the rage in the 1920s but has now fallen out of favour. Younger generations might find it quaint or even charming, but it’s definitely not a phrase you hear often anymore.
“Dialling a number”
Similar to “don’t touch that dial,” this phrase comes from the days when telephones had rotary dials that you physically turned to call someone. These days, with touchscreens and contacts lists, there’s no actual “dialling” involved, and while people will still know what you mean, referring to it this way can make it seem like you haven’t quite caught up to the digital.
“Stepping on someone’s toes”
This expression, meaning to offend or encroach on someone’s territory, isn’t completely extinct, but it does have an old-fashioned ring to it. It conjures up images of a polite society where formal etiquette was paramount; today, people are more likely to say “crossing a line” or “overstepping boundaries.”
“Cool beans”
If you want to sound like you’re stuck in the 1980s, “cool beans” is the phrase to go for. While it was once a fun way to express approval or excitement, it’s very rarely used today, as people are more likely to just say something is “cool” or “awesome.”
“More power to you”
Used to express approval or admiration for someone’s determination or success, “more power to you” feels a bit outdated now, as it carries an old-school sense of encouragement that’s rarely heard today. Modern expressions of support might be simpler, like “good for you” or “you’ve got this.”
“In a jiffy”
If you say you’ll do something “in a jiffy,” younger folks might not be sure what you mean. This phrase, which means you’ll do something quickly, isn’t heard much anymore, and it dates back to the 18th century, when “jiffy” was used to mean a very short amount of time.
“Groovy”
Popularised in the 1960s, “groovy” was once the ultimate way to say something was cool or exciting, but now, using “groovy” instantly paints you as a flower child from the hippy era. Modern alternatives like “awesome,” “cool,” or even “lit” have long taken its place.
“Take a chill pill”
Meaning to calm down or relax, “take a chill pill” was once a popular catchphrase in the 1980s and 90s. These days, telling someone to “take a chill pill” will likely result in some eye-rolling or confusion, as the expression feels like a relic of a different time.
“Word to the wise”
This phrase, typically used to give a piece of advice, has an old-fashioned and formal feel to it, but people don’t tend to preface their advice with “word to the wise” anymore. Instead, they might simply offer a tip or suggestion without the need for such a grand-sounding phrase.
“Talk to the hand”
“Talk to the hand”, popularised in the 90s, was once a quick way to shut someone down. It was often accompanied by a hand gesture meant to show you weren’t interested in what the other person had to say; nowadays, it’s rarely heard.
“Peachy keen”
Saying something is “peachy keen” might make you sound like you’ve stepped out of a 1950s sitcom, despite the fact it was once a cheerful way to say that everything was going well or that something was great. Now, it just feels hopelessly retro.
“Heavens to Betsy”
“Heavens to Betsy,” an exclamation of surprise or disbelief, sounds like it’s from a completely different era — because it is. Popular in the early 1900s, “heavens to Betsy” has a distinctly old-fashioned ring to it, whereas these days, you’re more likely to hear “oh my gosh” or simply “wow”.
“What’s the 411?”
In the days before the internet, “411” was the number you’d dial for information, so asking for “the 411” was like asking for the lowdown on something. Nowadays, with instant access to information at our fingertips, this phrase has fallen out of use.
