16 Crazy Boomer Phrases That Are No Longer Allowed

Language changes faster than the latest TikTok trend, yet some phrases stick around like an old pair of bell-bottoms that refuse to go out of style.

While slang evolves with each generation, certain boomer expressions have overstayed their welcome—lingering like dad jokes at a family barbecue. From “back in my day” to “cool beans,” these relics of the past continue to pop up, often with a mix of nostalgia and unintended hilarity.

But let’s be real—some of them deserve a well-earned retirement! In this playful exploration, we’re diving into 17 classic boomer phrases that just won’t quit, complete with puns, humor, and a lighthearted nod to the good old days.

Whether you love them, cringe at them, or secretly still use them, get ready for a fun trip down memory lane as we bid farewell (or not) to these linguistic throwbacks! Let’s roll, dudes and dudettes!

1. Let’s touch base

This phrase should have been buried in the ‘80s along with shoulder pads and pagers.

Nobody’s “touching base”—we’re just sending emails and ghosting them for two days. Much like a dusty fax machine, it’s time to retire this phrase and embrace the efficiency of modern communication.

Besides, “touching base” feels more like a game of office dodgeball than a productive dialogue. Let’s just say if you’re still using this phrase, you might as well be using WordPerfect and dial-up internet. Welcome to 2025, where connecting is a tap, not a touch.

2. Back in my day…

Oh no. Here comes the unsolicited TED Talk about how candy used to cost a nickel and kids played outside. Back in our day, we had Google—so we don’t need the history lesson, Grandpa.

It’s not that we don’t appreciate history – we just prefer it without the side serving of “in my day” comparisons. Instead of waxing nostalgic about the past, let’s create new stories today that future generations can roll their eyes at.

Remember, every new day is the “back in my day” for someone else.

3. Participation trophies ruined this generation

Sir, you were the ones who invented participation trophies because you couldn’t stand to see your kid cry. Own it. This phrase has become the boomer equivalent of “kids these days,” conveniently ignoring the fact that adults handed out those trophies.

Blaming objects for character flaws is like blaming forks for obesity. Let’s focus on building resilience without the blame game.

Acknowledge the effort, but let’s also teach that not every endeavor needs a shiny reminder. Maybe it’s time to retire the trophies—and the complaints.

4. I need to speak to a real person

Yes, we all hate automated phone systems, but acting like robots aren’t taking over is just denial.

Also, that “real person” you finally get transferred to? Still reading off a script. In an age where AI can do everything from cooking to composing, clinging to human-only interaction is quaint at best.

Let’s embrace the bot and save the “real person” for the real issues. Until then, we’ll just have to accept that our future overlord might just be our next customer service rep. At least they won’t put us on hold.

5. Why don’t you just pick up the phone and call?

Because it’s 2025 and texting exists. Also, unexpected phone calls are the modern version of knocking on someone’s door unannounced. No thanks.

Phone calls demand real-time attention, an antisocial faux pas in a multitasking world.

Let’s save those precious calls for emergencies, or when text just won’t cut it. Besides, nothing says “I care” like a well-timed emoji. Remember, just because you can call doesn’t mean you should, unless you want to hear the ringing echo of dread.

6. This generation doesn’t want to work

Nah, we just don’t want to work 60 hours a week for a company that considers pizza parties to be “competitive compensation.” This phrase ignores the evolving landscape of work-life balance and mental health awareness.

Today’s workforce values flexibility and fulfillment over hustle culture’s badge of burnout.

The way we work is changing, and rightfully so. Instead of critiquing, let’s support a healthy work environment where productivity and happiness coexist. Let’s appreciate that sometimes the best ideas come not in the office, but from that midday yoga session.

7. The customer is always right

Absolutely not. Sometimes the customer is very, very wrong, especially when they’re trying to return a 10-year-old toaster with no receipt. This phrase has led to entitled behavior that often results in more headaches than solutions.

Let’s strive for reason and mutual respect rather than pandering to every whim.

Empowering employees to handle these situations thoughtfully might just be the secret to satisfaction. Remember, the best customers are those who know the balance between their rights and responsibilities.

8. I don’t see color

Oh, buddy. Not only is this not the flex you think it is, but it also makes it sound like you literally need an eye exam. Claiming colorblindness, metaphorically or otherwise, dismisses the rich diversity that makes life vibrant.

Acknowledging differences is a step toward understanding, not division.

Let’s celebrate our varied hues and cultures with open eyes and open hearts. After all, a world without color is just shades of gray, and that’s no fun for anyone. See the spectrum, not the singular.

9. Money doesn’t grow on trees

True, but neither does a livable wage apparently. This phrase dismisses economic realities with a quip that doesn’t quite pay the bills. While teaching financial responsibility is golden, dismissing struggles isn’t.

Let’s talk about creating opportunities, not just counting pennies.

With creativity and innovation, maybe one day money trees won’t be just a dream. Until then, let’s plant seeds of understanding and empathy, because that’s where true wealth grows. It’s time to branch out from outdated financial advice.

10. Put some elbow grease into it

Sir, this is a Google Doc. What exactly do you want me to grease? This phrase harks back to a time of manual labor, not digital dexterity. In today’s tech-driven world, tasks require more mental muscle than physical, and no amount of grease will help.

Let’s shift from pushing boulders to pressing buttons—and be proud of it.

Perhaps the virtual elbow grease of critical thinking and problem-solving is the modern equivalent. After all, it’s the mind, not the muscle, that moves mountains today.

11. You’ll understand when you’re older

Ah, the classic way to dodge accountability when you don’t actually have a good answer. Spoiler alert: We got older, and we still think you were full of it. This phrase is a conversational dead-end, often leaving the listener in limbo.

Instead of deferring understanding, why not foster it now?

Learning is lifelong, and wisdom doesn’t exclusively come with age. Let’s share insights openly and ensure clarity is ageless. After all, the best advice transcends time, not just age. Understanding is a journey, not a destination.

12. Quit staring at your screen all day

Oh, I’m sorry, were you not the one who spent hours staring at Wheel of Fortune every night? Screens are today’s windows to the world, just as TV was before. This phrase ignores the fact that screens are as essential as they are entertaining.

Let’s embrace them as tools for both work and play.

Just as you found joy in game shows, so do we in streams and memes. The key is balance and awareness, not avoidance. After all, it’s about how we use them, not just that we do.

13. If you don’t like it here, why don’t you move?

Because moving is expensive and the housing market is a dystopian nightmare. That’s why. This dismissive phrase overlooks the complexities of relocation and the financial hurdles involved.

Let’s aim to improve what’s here rather than escape to what’s not.

Change is possible without packing boxes, starting with community and commitment. Remember, home is more than walls and a roof – it’s where we build our lives. Let’s create spaces worth staying in together, not just dream of elsewhere. Movement begins with motivation, not migration.

14. Kids today don’t know how to entertain themselves

We literally had to teach you how to use your iPhone. Who’s really struggling with technology here? This phrase conveniently forgets that every generation has its learning curve.

While tech has changed the playbook, creativity remains the constant.

Let’s bridge the gap with understanding rather than assumptions. The tools might differ, but the spirit of exploration persists. Whether it’s virtual or physical, play is the universal language of fun. Remember, today’s tech-savvy youth are tomorrow’s innovators. Let’s learn from each other.

15. You just have to pull yourself up by your bootstraps

No one even knows what bootstraps are anymore. Also, you can’t pull yourself up by something that doesn’t exist—just like affordable housing. This phrase suggests self-sufficiency in isolation, ignoring systemic barriers.

Let’s focus on support systems that pull us all up together.

Community and collaboration are the real bootstraps of today. Success is rarely solo, and it’s time we acknowledged that. By lifting others, we rise ourselves. It’s not about pulling up; it’s about pushing forward, with everyone.

16. We never had mental health problems growing up

Oh, you did. You just called it “having a stiff upper lip” while silently suffering for 40 years. This phrase denies the existence of past struggles, offering a narrative of suppression rather than support.

Let’s normalize acknowledging and addressing mental health openly today.

Healing begins with honesty, not hidden hurts. By facing emotions, we foster a future where mental well-being is a priority. It’s time to open up the dialogue, not shut it down. The true strength lies in vulnerability, not veiled stoicism.