Yesterday, I spotted the season’s first rabbit in my backyard. With its big, buck-toothed grin, it hopped through the wooded area and onto my lawn. Every spring and summer, this little guy devours my grass, munching on tender shoots and leaving behind bald patches, which he visits nightly to drop his tiny round bunny droppings.
In my best Elmer Fudd voice, I told my kids, ages 12 and 9, “Shhh, be vewy, vewy quiet! I’m hunting wabbits!” They just stared at me in confusion. Seriously? No one knows Elmer Fudd anymore? I thought every kid who grew up in the ’70s was a fan of Bugs Bunny. Apparently, my Generation X references are a total mystery to my children.
Here are some of my all-time favorite Gen X phrases that leave my kids scratching their heads:
- I pity the fool!
I often say this when one of my kids forgets to replace the toilet paper roll or puts the empty Kool-Aid jug back in the fridge. - What’s happenin’ hot stuff?
I like to throw this out when checking in with my kids, but they have no idea it comes from Long Duk Dong in Sixteen Candles. - Kiss my grits.
Whenever I complain about the dreary winter weather here in the Midwest, I’ll exclaim, “Kiss my grits!” My son once asked, “What are grits?” - Where’s the beef?
Each time we head to Wendy’s, I can’t help but ask this, and my kids always pretend they don’t know me. - Move over, bacon. Now there’s something meatier.
This one is my go-to when I need someone to shift over on the couch. - Ancient Chinese secret, huh?
I loved that commercial! I often say, “Ancient Chinese secret, huh?” whenever one of my kids keeps a secret from me. - Ooh, la la, Sasson.
When my daughter dresses up, I can’t resist saying, “Ooh, la la, Sasson!” - What you talkin’ about, Willis?
I use this every time I’m baffled by my kids’ slang, like “on fleek.” - Nothing comes between me and my Calvins.
My 9-year-old once asked, “What about Daddy?” Good point! - You’ll get nothing and like it.
Whenever my kids ask for more than their fair share at a concession stand, I whip out this classic from Caddyshack. My husband introduced me to this gem, which many Gen X men cherish.
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In summary, it’s amusing how many references from my childhood fly over my kids’ heads. While I relish these nostalgic phrases, I realize they’re part of a different era—one my kids may never fully appreciate.