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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 37317 times)

Offline ltttc

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #160 on: March 24, 2020, 11:47:15 PM »
Let's talk when we meet

Offline junion

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #161 on: April 03, 2020, 03:01:08 PM »
Back to square one
originally used for broadcasting soccer matches. they would divide the pitch into squares and the goalmouth was square one.
(Non-corona related)
« Last Edit: April 03, 2020, 03:20:24 PM by junion »

Offline EliJelly

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #162 on: April 03, 2020, 03:14:56 PM »
Smell if the milk is fresh.

Offline grodnoking

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #163 on: April 03, 2020, 03:51:45 PM »
Smell if the milk is fresh.
If anything I use(d) it more. I couldnt smell it so I'd ask someone else to smell it for me.
I'm not who you think I am.

Offline whYME

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #164 on: June 15, 2020, 03:28:54 PM »

Mtrasb

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #165 on: June 16, 2020, 04:13:25 AM »
"The park is locked, let's go home"

Offline S209

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #166 on: June 16, 2020, 10:01:37 AM »
“It’s just the flu”
Quote from: YitzyS
Quotes in a signature is annoying, as it comes across as an independent post.

Offline lcm

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #167 on: June 16, 2020, 07:36:22 PM »
Toll-free phone number

Offline junion

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #168 on: June 16, 2020, 07:43:39 PM »

Offline lcm

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #169 on: June 16, 2020, 07:55:43 PM »
What is toll-free worth these days?

Online ExGingi

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #170 on: June 16, 2020, 08:08:53 PM »
What is toll-free worth these days?
When you need to call from a payphone  ;D
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline Joeymc

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #171 on: June 16, 2020, 08:17:25 PM »
When you need to call from a payphone  ;D
What's a payphone?
120 characters? Hmm, I wonder what I could write with 64 characters. Boy, it's gonna be hard to use up 15 characters. W-

Online etech0

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Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

Online ExGingi

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #173 on: June 16, 2020, 08:43:16 PM »
What's a payphone?

Do you know what a subway token is? Or a toll booth token?
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline Joeymc

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #174 on: June 16, 2020, 08:51:02 PM »
Do you know what a subway token is? Or a toll booth token?
What about a phone token?
120 characters? Hmm, I wonder what I could write with 64 characters. Boy, it's gonna be hard to use up 15 characters. W-

Offline justaregularguy

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #175 on: June 16, 2020, 08:58:27 PM »
Remember the telegraph?
nothings impossible- the word itself says Im possible

Offline Joeymc

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #176 on: June 16, 2020, 08:59:14 PM »
Try this quiz and see how many you get

https://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/over-40-quiz
120 characters? Hmm, I wonder what I could write with 64 characters. Boy, it's gonna be hard to use up 15 characters. W-

Offline junion

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #177 on: June 16, 2020, 10:12:17 PM »
Toll-free phone number
still no "toll" when dialing on a landline as opposed to an out of state call

Offline davidrotts63

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #178 on: June 16, 2020, 11:36:00 PM »
"Defund the police"
Wait...that aged well?
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline davidrotts63

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Re: Phrases that Haven't Aged Well
« Reply #179 on: June 16, 2020, 11:42:20 PM »
Try this quiz and see how many you get

https://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/over-40-quiz
Seems like I belong on the list of things that did age well, because there is no way I'm under 40.
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch