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The idea of this thread is to list phrases that are still used in the same context, but refer to cultural or physical objects that are, for all intents and purposes, obsolete.

For example: "I'll cc you on that" - the original CC refers to carbon copy, which indicates that this memo was copied and given to those people on the list
Another example: "Here's a dime/quarter call someone who cares"- refer to the cost of a call on a payphone. The phrase is still used, but very few working payphones exist in today's world

Two examples of things that don't fit the criteria:
- "A penny for your thoughts" - because people still have pennies and occasionally use them.
- "Beam me that app" - both the method and the phrase are more or less obsolete.

Examples pulled from the thread:
That and a token will get you on the subway
Here's a dime/quarter, call someone who cares.
V'Nafal li Ha'Asimon (Hebrew)
You sound like a broken record
Hang up the phone
Off the hook
Dialing a number
Rewind the tape / Be Kind Rewind
Leave me a message on my machine
Let's go to the video tape / roll the tape /The highlight reel / show me the clip* (Clip can refer to a modern video, but literally refers to a cut piece of film)
Getting clotheslined
Put something on the map
Roll down the window
A music 'Single'
"You've got mail"
"Mind if I borrow the sports section?"
"Do you have change for a dollar?"

Note - not a definitive list, and very subjective. Feel free to edit.





« Last edited by Yonah on January 29, 2020, 11:24:01 AM »

Author Topic: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well  (Read 37286 times)

Offline ltttc

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #60 on: January 27, 2020, 07:40:32 PM »
How about using a (paper) map for directions?
Or for that matter actually knowing where you're going instead of blindly following the GPS
What's a GPS?

Offline grodnoking

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #61 on: January 27, 2020, 07:40:55 PM »
Only place that mattered was where I was at.  :)
You gotta get out more.
I'm not who you think I am.

Offline ltttc

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #62 on: January 27, 2020, 07:45:36 PM »
Not a phrase, but who remembers needing to turn your key in the lockhole in order to enter your car? And what about turning that handle to open/close the car window?

Offline whYME

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #63 on: January 27, 2020, 08:03:25 PM »
Not a phrase, but who remembers needing to turn your key in the lockhole in order to enter your car?
Yeah, I remember every time I get in my car

And what about turning that handle to open/close the car window?
i.e. the phrase "roll down the window."

Offline whYME

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #64 on: January 27, 2020, 08:04:30 PM »
What's a GPS?
It's a nickname us old-timers use for apps like Waze :)

Offline ltttc

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #65 on: January 27, 2020, 08:06:26 PM »
It's a nickname us old-timers use for apps like Waze :)
lol - that was the point  ;)

Offline ltttc

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #66 on: January 27, 2020, 08:15:29 PM »
recharge those batteries

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #67 on: January 27, 2020, 08:26:59 PM »
Let's go to the video tape...
Feelings don't care about your facts

Offline ltttc

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #68 on: January 27, 2020, 08:41:13 PM »
A penny for your thought

Offline yuneeq

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #69 on: January 27, 2020, 08:58:27 PM »
What's a GPS?

Not phased out at all, it’s more common than ever.
Everything has a GPS chip nowadays.
Visibly Jewish

Offline ltttc

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #70 on: January 27, 2020, 09:05:36 PM »
Load the station wagon

Offline yuneeq

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #71 on: January 27, 2020, 09:15:04 PM »
This one’s for the highlight reel
Visibly Jewish

Offline Tuna Baygel

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #72 on: January 27, 2020, 09:19:50 PM »
This one’s for the highlight reel
Can't talk for long I'm low on minutes

Offline ltttc

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #73 on: January 27, 2020, 09:29:11 PM »
Can't talk for long I'm low on minutes
We'll talk after 9 or on the weekends

Offline whYME

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #74 on: January 27, 2020, 09:32:32 PM »
recharge those batteries
What's outdated about that?

Offline ltttc

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #75 on: January 27, 2020, 09:34:39 PM »
What's outdated about that?
most recharging these days work via USB

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #76 on: January 27, 2020, 09:51:11 PM »
Carbon copy

How many people using CC nowadays know that it stands for Carbon Copy, let alone have ever seen carbon paper and a carbon copy rather than carbonless copies? (Talk about eliminating carbon footprint). 
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline whYME

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #77 on: January 27, 2020, 09:53:05 PM »
most recharging these days work via USB
meh, still not outdated.

Offline koplonko

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #78 on: January 27, 2020, 10:43:39 PM »
Those calling methods were still common in the mid 80s.
I did them as a kid in the late 1990's (not in US), sometimes was an automated operator where you recorded your name so it was easier

Offline grodnoking

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #79 on: January 27, 2020, 11:05:47 PM »
How many people using CC nowadays know that it stands for Carbon Copy, let alone have ever seen carbon paper and a carbon copy rather than carbonless copies? (Talk about eliminating carbon footprint).
Some cc terminals still use carbon paper for receipts
I'm not who you think I am.