I spotted him in my backyard yesterday—the first rabbit of the season.
With his goofy, buck-toothed grin, he bounced through the woods behind my house and onto my lawn. Every spring and summer, he wreaks havoc on my grass, munching on those delicate green shoots and leaving behind big bare patches and a sprinkle of tiny bunny droppings.
“Be vewy, vewy quiet,” I told my kids, ages 12 and 9, channeling my inner Elmer Fudd. “I’m hunting wabbits!”
Blank stares.
Oh, come on! Really? No Elmer Fudd? I thought every kid from the 80s grew up watching Bugs Bunny! But my kids look at me like I’m speaking Martian. It’s just another one of those classic Gen X references that has completely flown over their heads.
Here are some more of my favorite 80s throwbacks that make my kids scratch their heads:
- I pity the fool!
I say this whenever my kids forget to switch out the toilet paper roll or put back the empty juice jug in the fridge. - What’s happenin’, hot stuff?
This one’s perfect for checking in with my kids, but they have no idea it’s from Long Duk Dong in Sixteen Candles. - Kiss my grits!
Whenever I complain about the endless winter weather here in the Midwest, I throw out a classic. “Another snowstorm? Kiss my grits!”
“What’s grits?” my son asks. Sigh. - Where’s the beef?
Every time we hit Wendy’s, I can’t help but ask this. My kids just roll their eyes and pretend they don’t know me. - Move over, bacon. Now there’s something meatier.
This is my go-to line when I need someone to slide over on the couch. - Ancient Chinese secret, huh?
I loved that commercial! I toss this out whenever my kids refuse to spill the tea on something. - Ooh, la la, Sasson!
When my daughter shows off her stylish outfits, I can’t resist saying this. - What you talkin’ about, Willis?
This classic line comes out whenever I don’t understand the latest slang my son brings home, like “on fleek.” - Nothing comes between me and my Calvins.
My 9-year-old chimed in, “What about Daddy?” Good point! - You’ll get nothing and like it.
As soon as my kids try to get more than their fair share at the snack bar, I whip this gem from Caddyshack. (My husband introduced me to this saying—classic Gen X humor!)
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In summary, it’s clear that many of my cherished Generation X references are lost on my kids. Whether it’s a classic line from an old commercial or a beloved cartoon character, it’s just part of the fun of parenting in a different era.