# "That's so last year" -- the future of catchphrases **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 13, 2003, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583 "2003-06-13T15:17:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Optihut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/edb3f5/32.png) [@Optihut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Optihut)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2003, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/21 "2003-06-14T20:46:29Z")
Funny thing, I still use “my bad”. But then again, my English is a weird mixture from the things I picked up in the 80s, so don’t count on me being up to date 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2003, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/22 "2003-06-14T20:52:20Z")
“Wha happen?” or “wha hoppen?” has been around since I was a kid (I’m 60), so it seems to have staying power. I’ve heard “hubba-hubba” fairly recently, and that one goes bac to at least WWII. Sayings like that seem to go in cycles. They die out, maybe for many years, and are resurrected in a movie and kids take them up again. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2003, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/23 "2003-06-14T20:58:34Z")
I totally hope that, like, the practice of, like, using certain, like, words over and over and over again totally, like, dies real soon. ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2003, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/24 "2003-06-14T21:02:42Z")
It pleases me that it has become acceptable to say something “sucks”. That used to be considered pretty offensive language. It’s also no longer a real big deal to say “bite me”. “Jump the shark” will probably stay around because it uniquely describes a common phenomenon of our culture. ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2003, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/25 "2003-06-14T21:12:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lord Ashtar \* > \*\*I totally hope that, like, the practice of, like, using certain, like, words over and over and over again totally, like, dies real soon. \*\* It, like, doesn’t, like, seem, like, likely since they’ve been doing it, like, since the sixties. But I couldn’t agree with you more. I hate “dude” and wish it would die. And I truly detest the practice of saying of a human being, “He goes,” when what is meant is that he “says.” It seems all right to say a dog goes “Woof!” But a person is not a beast. (Well, _some_ people may be. 😃 ) ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2003, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/26 "2003-06-15T07:07:24Z")
An inventive explanation for “23 skiddoo”: It came from the area around the Flatiron Building in Manhattan, on 23rd Street. Strong winds kicked up on that corner, so guys would loiter there waiting to watch women’s skirts being lifted by the wind, until the cops would come and they had to skiddoo. ---
**Author:** ![lorinada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5e925/32.png) [@lorinada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorinada)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2003, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/27 "2003-06-15T07:22:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DesertGeezer \* > \*\*It, like, doesn’t, like, seem, like, likely since they’ve been doing it, like, since the sixties. \*\* [Maynard G. Krebs] Since, like, the 50’s! [/Maynard G. Krebs] ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2003, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/28 "2003-06-15T07:27:30Z")
That’s what I’d read, **Jomo**. ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Shellhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e56c9b/32.png) [@Old\_Shellhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Old_Shellhead)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2003, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/29 "2003-06-15T07:41:49Z")
I’ve started saying “sketch” pretty often, also as a prefix… sketchtacular, etc. (sketch=sketchy) Also, skeeze (skeezy=sketchy:sleazy). And ‘mad’ as a general enhancing adjective. I started using those when I moved up to Portland… never noticed them too much here in L.A. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2003, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/30 "2003-06-15T12:19:24Z")
Yes, mad is one I hear the kids using all too frequently these days. That and ‘phat’ I can definitely live without. ---
**Author:** ![saramamalana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@saramamalana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saramamalana)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2003, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/31 "2003-06-15T22:49:16Z")
Even tho I admittedly say it a lot, I think I’d be okay if saying “word” as a means of agreement died off. I think I originally picked up saying it as a joke, and it just stuck. Oh, and though I think it’s probably safely died off by now, I hope that “talk to the hand” never makes a revival. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2003, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/32 "2003-06-15T22:59:02Z")
I still here “hella” in Santa Cruz. :sad: ---
**Author:** ![mr.splitfoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@mr.splitfoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.splitfoot)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2003, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/33 "2003-06-15T23:01:03Z")
I miss “fly” “Rad” will never die! But I really hope “dope” goes away quickly. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/34 "2003-06-16T00:58:42Z")
**Shellhead** , those are the most recent additions to my slangcabulary as well. Funny, though, I’m originally from Northern California, but I heard them all down here in LA. Far as I know, “hella” is still going strong, but in my experience it’s always been localized to the Pacific Northwest. “The Shit” in a good way, must die a painful death. Like “Bad” in the 80’s, the last thing we need is more slang that can be used to mean completely opposite things. ---
**Author:** ![lorinada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5e925/32.png) [@lorinada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorinada)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/35 "2003-06-16T01:10:39Z")
Maybe that’s why “sick” didn’t stick around too long. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/36 "2003-06-16T01:57:44Z")
I’ve noticed that even, “s/he goes” instead of “s/he said” is being taken over by the simple, all-purpose “like”. "And then, he was like, “whoa, where did ya get the hat?”, and I was like, “over at Big It Up in the mall”, and he was like, “that’s totally, like, ass-tacular” "… I like it even less than “goes”. ---
**Author:** ![j\_kat\_251](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/71c47a/32.png) [@j\_kat\_251](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j_kat_251)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/37 "2003-06-16T02:45:30Z")
> [@](#): > > But I really hope “dope” goes away quickly Welcome to The Straight, with Cecil Adams. ---
**Author:** ![skaterboarder87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@skaterboarder87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skaterboarder87)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/38 "2003-06-16T02:52:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mr. splitfoot \* > \*\*I miss “fly” > > “Rad” will never die! > > But I really hope “dope” goes away quickly. \*\* Sorry to break it to 'ya, but “Rad” is clearly dead. ---
**Author:** ![skaterboarder87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@skaterboarder87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skaterboarder87)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/39 "2003-06-16T02:53:44Z")
Speaking of catch phrase. What does **Zing** mean? ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583/40 "2003-06-16T05:06:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Marley23 \*\*\*WOW is that convoluted. I was told it was a reference to 23rd Street in NYC. \*\* I grew up hearing that it was a reference to the old 23-Fillmore streetcar line in Buffalo. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-last-year-the-future-of-catchphrases/181583.md?page=3)