As a parent, I often find myself surprised by the things that come out of my kids’ mouths. Sometimes I just chuckle, while other times I wonder how they even know these phrases. There are so many things they say that I would have never dreamed of uttering as a child, like these gems:
- “Can we go to Starbucks?” – I didn’t even know what a Starbucks was until I hit my teenage years. Back then, the idea of ordering a “venti” or a “frappuccino” felt like stepping into a foreign land. My boys, however, have been familiar with the word Starbucks since they were born. And those cake pops? They’re an incredible way to negotiate when I’m in need of a little bribe!
- “Can I play on your phone?” – Growing up, outdoor playtime was the norm. Sure, my boys enjoy their time outside too, but let’s face it—technology has taken over. They each have their own devices. I was thrilled to have a landline as a teen, and when I finally got a prepaid cell phone at 18, I felt like royalty (until the minutes ran out, of course). Kids these days have smartphones before they can even tie their shoes!
- “Oh, I love this song! Buy it on iTunes, Mom!” – Back in my day, we had cassette tapes. If we liked a song, we’d camp out by the radio for hours, hoping to catch it just right to record it. If you missed it, you had to wait forever to try again. No wonder kids today have a hard time with patience; they’ve never had to rush back from the bathroom to catch their favorite tune!
- “Can you find my show On Demand?” – We didn’t have cable growing up, let alone On Demand options. My family relied on rabbit ear antennas wrapped in foil. If we were lucky, our shows came in clearly. Sometimes, watching TV meant holding the antenna, standing on one leg, and keeping quiet. A remote? Nope! If you wanted to change the channel, you had to walk up to the TV and do it manually.
- “Mom, just Google it!” – Need I say more?
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In summary, the generational gap in language and technology is evident in the phrases our kids use today. From Starbucks to On Demand, these expressions reflect a world that is vastly different from the one we grew up in.