Way Back When

Be sure to go all the way through this post to the use of catchphrases through the years. See how many you remember or perhaps still use!

Stepping back in time is fun . . . just plain and simple fun! Whether a teenager wanting to learn about the eras in which our parents grew up or the adult who wants to relive the memories, the nostalgia is an alluring invitation for a trip down Memory Lane.

More than likely at one time or another you have said, or heard someone else say the phrase way back when.... Its context could be in reference to good times or bad times but in either case reflects upon events of the distant past...a different year, decade or even a different era. Some folks refer to it as back in the day.  

But, whose day? Before indoor plumbing? Before electricity? Before the phonograph? Before the automobile? Before radio? Before television? Before the cellphone, iPhone, iPad?

Regardless how we say it, distinctive spans of time become identifiers for each individual. There are countless, precious moments held dear to the heart before time erases all memory. Each footnote has its own unique melody playing out the music of life. Looking back provides reflections into who we are, how we have evolved and in some instances, where we are going [again]. Making comparisons of how things were 'back in the day' to present day is often hilarious. The changes in fashion, cars, appliances, entertainment, even looking back/reflecting upon sayings about the future, which is now the present, can have one doubling over with laughter or simply smiling in amazement.

An old privy or outhouse
(Photo credit: The Library of Congress)

Conversations can quickly turn to making comparisons of amenities that are commonplace today but totally void in the past. Such things as living in houses with dirt floors, having to complete private business in outhouses, boiling clothes to get them clean, bathing once a month with or without soap, are considered primitive by today’s standards. Of course, we don’t have to step that far back in time. Simply disregard the cellphone, TV and Internet. 

Without those three, some people would not know how to survive!

Many comparisons to way back when or back in the day are derived from the changes in the state of the economy. For instance, think about the cost of gasoline. Today excitement abounds if to fill the car, truck, lawn mower or farm equipment with gas costs under $4.00 a gallon. Also, if a trip to the doctor’s office or a prescription is under $100, shouts of jubilation can be heard! It has not always been that way. Can you date either of these scenarios? Do you remember when…

Who would have thought gas would ever cost 25 cents a gallon? I hear it will soon go up to 26 cents. Up a penny now, another penny later. The rate it is going gasoline will reach a dollar a gallon before we know it. What’s the world coming to?

At $15.00 a day in the hospital, no one can afford to be sick anymore. All those doctors want to do is make their lives easier at our expense! Maw, what’s that home remedy for sore throat?

Time to hang out the clothes. Bring the bucket of clothespins. 

These are only a random sampling of conversations today that ultimately begin with I remember when or back in the day. These examples would place one’s when in the 50s.

Let's turn back time through the decades to the use of catchphrases. These are expressions used repeatedly 'til at some point in time they're replaced or simply have worn themselves out. Memory isn't just about self so date not only yourself but also others... friends & family!

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Swingin' in the 30s & 40s

~Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
~Hope for the best, but expect the worst.
~Live hard, die young and make a good looking corpse.
~I have been here longer than I am gonna be here... so I'm gonna have fun.
~Look at that cat’s 'zoot' suit. It’s crazy, man.

Memorable Movie Line: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." - Rhett Butler, Gone with the Wind (1939)

Coolin' in the 50s

~Man, this place is 'antsville', USA!

~Let's 'agitate the gravel'!

~Hey man, I know it’s tough, but don’t 'blow your top'.

~You mean your brother has been 'buzzed by germsville'?

~You are 'lighting up the tilt sign'!

Memorable Movie Line: "Well, nobody's perfect." Some Like it Hot (1959) 

Spirit of the 60s 

~This is going to be a real 'gas'!

~'Are we having fun yet?'

~Girl, you are 'all show and no go'!

~'Big brother' is watching you.

~'It's been real.'

Memorable Movie Line: "Bond. James Bond." Dr. No (1962)

Groovin' in the 70s

~Let me give you the skinny on the deal.

~Can you dig it man?

~Good night, John-boy.

~May the force be with you!

~Catch you on the flip-side.

Memorable Movie Line: "May the force be with you." Star Wars (1977)

Mania in the 80s

~He's confused again. What an airhead!

~Whatever!

~Oh yeah. Big Time!

~That is totally boss

~I'll pencil you in, just in case something comes up.

Memorable Movie Line: "I'll be back." The Terminator (1984)

Into the 90s
 

~What's up girl?

~All that and a bag of chips

~As if!

~Dude that guy freaked out.

~Chill out!

Memorable Movie Line: "My momma always said, life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." - Forrest Gump (1994)

First Decade of the New Millennium

~Wassup!

~That's hot!

~Chillax!

~Bling bling.

~Fo' shizzle.

Memorable Movie Line: ? Maybe you have one to contribute!

Do you remember who said... 

Love is being stupid together?

Ever notice how "what the hell" is always the right answer?

Both are still very apropos in the 21^st century. The first is credited to Paul Valéry but made popular by Lucille Ball in the I Love Lucy show. The second is said to be attributed to none other than Marilyn Monroe but not credited to her as an original.

   

And life goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...

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