Ever drop a reference that just makes you sound out of touch? Are you using outdated slang? Changes in pop culture and catchphrases are always marking the generational gap, from the sitcom characters we love to the way we say something’s cool. The “Doogie Howser” scene in the movie 50/50 is a perfect example. This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Outdated Language”
You’re listening to A Way with Words. I’m Grant Barrett.
And I’m Martha Barnette.
There’s a scene in the new movie 50-50. The film is part comedy and part drama, and it’s about a young man with cancer. Adam is about 30-something, and he’s just been diagnosed. And on the advice of his doctor, he goes to a psychologist.
Now, he’s expecting to find the stereotypical guy in his 60s, tweed jacket, maybe smoking a pipe. But of course, the psychologist turns out to be this very young, very attractive woman. And here’s what happens next.
Sorry, if you don’t mind, how old are you?
24.
You’re 24, wow. So what are you, like Doogie Howser or something?
Who?
Doogie Howser, the teenage doctor.
Does he work here?
No, no.
Grant, I totally identified with this poor guy. You use a word or a phrase and you get this blank look and you realize, oh my gosh, my language marks me as being from an entirely different generation. And this person has no idea what I’m talking about.
I love that scene.
Yeah, when people make Pokemon references, which was past my time, I have no idea what they’re talking about. All this. They’re like, yeah, that was just like this character in this anime. And I’m like, anime was not a thing in the early 80s when I was watching cartoons. No idea what you’re talking about.
But it’s not just the pop culture references, right?
No.
No, it’s everything. There was a great discussion on Reddit about this. What are the things that your parents say that make you realize that they’re old-fashioned or out of touch or that make them seem old? I have more and more of those.
The other day I said, only her hairdresser knows for sure. And I got this blank look.
What in the heck is that?
I’m getting a blank look right now.
I get it.
I get it.
Yeah.
Yeah. Didn’t Helen Reddy do the song on the commercial for that?
No, that was something else, right?
So today we’re going to be talking about the things that other people say that make them seem out of touch or old-fashioned. Or things that you’ve said and you realize, oh, this person has no clue.
Do tell on yourself, 877-929-9673, or tell on other people, words@waywordradio.org. We’ll be sharing a lot of these throughout the show.
