Slang changes faster than we can keep up with, and some phrases become time capsules of a bygone era. If you’re over 25, you might remember these expressions fondly—or cringe at how much you used them. These words and phrases ruled conversations, texts, and school hallways, and today they may sound a little outdated (or completely foreign!) to anyone younger. Let’s take a trip down memory lane with some slang that younger generations just don’t get.
1. Talk to the Hand
A classic comeback of the ‘90s and early 2000s, this phrase meant “I’m done listening.” Delivered with a palm up and an eye roll, “Talk to the hand” was the ultimate brush-off. Back then, it was the height of sass; now, it might just earn you some confused stares.
2. Bling-Bling
If you grew up in the late ‘90s or early 2000s, you remember this term for flashy jewelry or anything shiny and expensive. Popularized by hip-hop, “bling-bling” captured the era’s love for over-the-top accessories. Today, “bling” is still understood, but you don’t hear “bling-bling” much outside of a nostalgia trip.
3. As If!
Immortalized by Alicia Silverstone’s character in Clueless, “As if!” was the ultimate way to dismiss someone or something that you found totally unbelievable or absurd. This phrase took on a life of its own, and if you ever hear it today, you know someone is channeling their inner ‘90s kid.
4. All That and a Bag of Chips
This expression was everywhere in the late ‘90s, used to describe someone or something that was not only great but even a little extra. “All that and a bag of chips” meant you had it going on. It was a phrase to flatter, but you don’t hear it much anymore… unless you’re reminiscing about the days of Dunkaroos and Surge.
5. Don’t Go There
Short, sassy, and to the point, “Don’t go there” was the ultimate warning. It was an efficient way to shut down a conversation, usually about something personal or annoying. While people still say it occasionally, it doesn’t have quite the same punch it did when it first became popular in the ‘90s.
6. Psyche!
If you grew up in the ‘80s or ‘90s, you used “Psyche!” as the ultimate fake-out. You’d say something outrageous or surprising, then yell “Psyche!” to reveal you were just kidding. It was the kind of slang that added drama to even the smallest pranks, and while today’s teens have “just kidding,” it’s not quite the same.
7. My Bad
In the late ‘90s and early 2000s, saying “My bad” was the go-to way to admit fault casually. It was a breezy way to apologize, popularized by athletes and quickly adopted by just about everyone. Though you still hear it occasionally, it’s less popular now, and some younger folks have no clue where it came from.
8. Getting Jiggy With It
Thank Will Smith and his catchy song for this one. “Getting jiggy with it” meant dancing or having a good time. In the late ‘90s, you could hear this phrase everywhere, from school dances to weekend plans. Today, it’s mostly a funny throwback, but back then, it was peak cool.
9. Fly
If something was “fly,” it was cool, stylish, and impressive. This term was huge in the ‘80s and ‘90s and was used to describe everything from clothes to cars to people. While “fly” may still sneak into conversations today, it doesn’t have the widespread popularity it once did.
10. Whatever!
This was the ultimate way to brush someone off, usually accompanied by a dramatic eye roll. “Whatever!” became a staple of ‘90s sarcasm, thanks in part to movies like Clueless and the attitude of the decade in general. Today, it’s still around, but you probably won’t hear it with the same emphasis or dramatic flair.
11. Take a Chill Pill
If someone was getting a little too worked up, “Take a chill pill” was the casual way to tell them to calm down. This phrase started in the ‘80s and lingered into the ‘90s. It’s one of those expressions that’s still understandable today but has lost the frequency it once had in everyday conversation.
12. Cool Beans
“Cool beans” was the go-to way to express enthusiasm or approval. You’d hear this a lot in the ‘80s and ‘90s when something good happened. While it sounds endearing today, it definitely has an old-school feel that doesn’t quite hit the same note with younger people.
These phrases may seem like relics of the past now, but for those of us who grew up saying them, they’re timeless reminders of what it meant to be cool (or cringe) back in the day. While every generation comes up with new slang, these words and phrases were ours—and hearing them brings back memories of school hallways, music videos, and simpler times.
