Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for words and phrases you no longer say?

213 replies

namezchangez · 21/02/2026 11:24

Not really an AIBU, but I wanted a good list! DH and I were talking about words and phrases we used to say frequently as children in the 80s and which now we rarely use or hear. Some of these refer to things that no longer exist, or which have become rare, some have fallen out of fashion, some now seem tasteless or prejudicial. Would love to hear some more! (And doesn’t need to be from the 80s.)

ozone layer
polystyrene
crybaby
wicked (as a term of approval)
teacake
space race
Indian summer
gooseberries

OP posts:
Silverbirchleaf · 22/02/2026 08:18

Slip, meaning petticoat.

tiptoptoemaytoe · 22/02/2026 08:16

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

SunnieShine · 22/02/2026 08:11

Just thought of a couple from my school days. "In the club" for pregnant". And if the girl was pregnant and married, "In trouble".

SunnieShine · 22/02/2026 08:04

thesnailandthewhale · 21/02/2026 20:15

Stone the crows
Blimey

I say blimey all the time. And Gordon Bennett.

watermybegonias · 22/02/2026 07:40

Thewalrusandthecarpenter · 21/02/2026 21:22

Charlie’s dead

My friend was student nurse and someone hissed at her on the ward 'Charlie's dead!'

She fainted - her boyfriend was called Charlie!

Silverbirchleaf · 22/02/2026 05:36

Mongrel - I know thus isn’t totally obsolete, but dogs are no longer called mongrel. Even in some rehoming centres, they’re called ‘crossbreeds’, which always strikes me as as slightly amusing. Are they cross because they’re unhappy to be there?!

5foot5 · 22/02/2026 00:25

Bourneo · 21/02/2026 23:12

Stop, drop and roll

Is that in case you catch fire?

My DD (30) has commented how often as a child they were told to do this in the event of catching fire that she almost believed it inevitable that it would happen at some point.

Original poster
namezchangez · 21/02/2026 23:55

@5foot5Winceyette! My mind was turning its wheels for that one. Not even really sure what it is, but I think winter nighties…?

Slightly archaic: chenille, mohair (though oddly back in itchy fashion last year).

A few others that have come to me: things with -nik on the end, commie, nouvelle cuisine, yuppie, fish n chip crackers

OP posts:
Boobyslims · 21/02/2026 23:40

“On the continent..<insert some social behaviour, food, way of dressing etc >”

never knew which continent, but no one seems to care anymore what they are doing on the continent, the poor pets

Bourneo · 21/02/2026 23:12

Stop, drop and roll

ThankYouNigel · 21/02/2026 22:32

Ha yes, wicked! I used to call everything wicked, forgot about that one! 😂

localnotail · 21/02/2026 22:32

Also, "having a paddy". I used to say that.

SmudgeButt · 21/02/2026 22:31

My mom's classic one from about 1970 was to comment that there must have been a " "N" in the woodpile". Which was a comment on a young child's skin colour when the rest of the family was quite pale in comparison. So not only was the mother playing away but also the result was "miscegenation". It's a bit odd considering how much variety in skin tone there is in our own family.

localnotail · 21/02/2026 22:29

Mine is "spastic". Sorry, I'm old.

Legomania · 21/02/2026 22:00

My martial arts teacher called someone a fairy the other day 😮 and he's only mid-40s. Thought both the phrase and the sentiment had died out a good while back

MrJollyLivesNextDoor · 21/02/2026 21:49

Butteredtoast55 · 21/02/2026 21:01

My son rolls his eyes at me every time I call a baguette a 'French stick'! 😁
Just annoy him further my DH refers to 'avocado pears'.

I always say French stick - baguette seems a bit poncey

DH said koala bear earlier, I believe it was deliberate just to annoy me. Well I hope it was otherwise he thinks koalas are bears and he will have to leave the house 🤔

Allsizes8to14 · 21/02/2026 21:34

ejnm · 21/02/2026 12:31

I haven't heard anyone say minger or minging in years.

I live in the north east and we still say it alot here!

ChuckJacksonIvegottheNeedNSoul · 21/02/2026 21:31

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 21/02/2026 21:16

Candlewick spread
Licking stamps
Tippex

Candlewick spread had such an odd feel to it.

Thewalrusandthecarpenter · 21/02/2026 21:22

Charlie’s dead

Beachtastic · 21/02/2026 21:18

I seldom hear anyone use the word "seldom".

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 21/02/2026 21:16

Candlewick spread
Licking stamps
Tippex

5foot5 · 21/02/2026 21:11

Maybe some fabric words: flannelette, crimplene, drip-dry.

@namezchangez needlecord, winceyette.

Butteredtoast55 · 21/02/2026 21:06

On the subject of gooseberries....or goosegogs to me....you do not hear people referred to as gooseberries any more. I've just asked DS and he'd use 'third wheel'.

Sorry @Nosejobnelly I've just seen your earlier post!

5foot5 · 21/02/2026 21:05

HeartyBlueRobin · 21/02/2026 14:27

My.mum used to say you're either in or out, you're like a wandering *. 😱. Definitely not PC and not something I'd ever say.

Eiderdown
Continental quilt

There is a sort of plant whose common name is, or was, a Wandering Jew. One day my elder sister (70+) who is keen on gardening was in a garden centre with her adult son and saw one and said "Oh look, a Wandering Jew" and he was horrified!

And, yes, Continental quilt.

OSupergran · 21/02/2026 21:02

Poseur.... he's such a poseur!

Swipe left for the next trending thread