Generation Jones Shares 36 Slang Phrases They Used Constantly—but Rarely Hear Today
Generation Jones — those born between 1954 and 1965 — occupies a unique space in American history. Sandwiched between the Baby Boomers and Gen X, they grew up with a culture all their own. Their childhood was shaped by Wild West reruns, rock ’n’ roll, funky fashion, and the early waves of TV pop culture. And with that came a vocabulary overflowing with colorful sayings and quirky expressions that have faded out over time.
In a discussion on the r/GenerationJones subreddit, members took a nostalgic walk down memory lane, listing the sayings they threw around daily in their youth — but almost never hear today. The thread quickly filled with forgotten gems, old-school humor, and linguistic time capsules from a different era.
Here are 36 of the phrases they mentioned — the ones that instantly take them back.
• “Boy howdy.”
A spirited way to say “wow!” or emphasize excitement. First recorded in 1911, but beloved by many growing up.
• “Far out.”
A classic reaction of approval — especially among the cool kids.
• “Don’t have a cow.”
Translation: calm down.
• “Cowabunga!”
From comic books to cartoons, this exclamation was everywhere.
• “The thrill of victory… and the agony of defeat.”
A line etched into memory thanks to the opening of ABC’s Wide World of Sports.
One user described trying to insult someone by calling them a “jive turkey,” only to be met with a smooth comeback: “No worries, Daddy-O — you’re a cool cat!”
That exchange alone could be framed as a linguistic time capsule.
Others chimed in with catchphrases from ads, shows, and everyday conversation:
• “Time to make the donuts.”
• “Two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”
• “You have a collect call…”
• “See ya later, alligator… After a while, crocodile.”
• “Where’s the beef?”
From the famous Wendy’s commercial, of course.
And the list kept growing:
• “Darn tootin’!”
• “Keep on truckin’.”
• “Up your nose with a rubber hose.”
Made famous by Welcome Back, Kotter.
• “Going to hell in a handbasket.”
• “Heavens to Betsy!”
• “Groovy!”
• “Gnarly!”
• “Give me some skin.”
• “Party on.”
• “You bet your bippy!”
• “To the max.”
• “Got a dime? Call someone who cares.”
• “It’s curtains.”
• “Gag me with a spoon.”
• “What the Sam Hill?!”
• “Bitchin’” (meaning awesome)
• “She’s a fox.”
• “Don’t take any wooden nickels.”
• “Hold the phone!”
• “Barreling down the road.”
• “Burning the candle at both ends.”
(One commenter joked a Gen Z coworker had to Google it.)
And of course:
• “Cool beans.”
• “Okie dokie, artichokie.”
• The entire Big Mac jingle:
“Two all-beef patties, special sauce…”
You know the rest.
Every generation has its own soundtrack of slang — but for Generation Jones, these phrases aren’t just words. They’re reminders of childhood, family, TV nights, and the way people connected before smartphones and memes. Even if the expressions have faded, the memories behind them clearly haven’t.