We all use phrases and sayings that have been passed down through generations. Many of these expressions have become so common that we rarely stop to think about what they actually mean or where they came from. Some traditional phrases continue to serve us well, adding color and character to our language.
However, many old sayings have problematic origins, outdated meanings, or simply don’t make sense in today’s world. These expressions often reflect values or circumstances from times past that no longer align with modern sensibilities. It’s worth taking a closer look at the words we use without thinking and considering which ones might be ready for retirement.
Break a Leg
This common phrase used to wish performers good luck before they go on stage actually has dark origins. The expression comes from an old superstition that wishing someone good luck would actually bring them bad fortune. It refers to bowing so deeply that you might break your leg in the process. Today, many performers find this phrase uncomfortable since physical injuries can end careers. A simple “good luck” or “you’ve got this” works much better and doesn’t invoke potential harm to someone about to perform.
Sold Down the River
You might use this phrase to describe being betrayed or cheated without realizing its disturbing history. The expression originated during American slavery when enslaved people were literally sold from northern states “down the river” to southern plantations where conditions were often even more brutal. The casual use of this phrase trivializes this horrific historical practice. Better alternatives include “betrayed,” “thrown under the bus,” or “let down” to express the same sentiment without the troubling connection.
Rule of Thumb
Many people use this phrase to describe a general principle or approximate method without knowing its controversial origins. Some historians believe it refers to an old English law that allowed men to beat their wives with sticks no thicker than their thumbs. While scholars debate whether this law actually existed, the connection has made many people uncomfortable with the expression. Instead, try using “general guideline,” “basic principle,” or “rough estimate” to convey the same meaning without potential negative associations.
Gypped
If you’ve ever said you got “gypped” when describing being cheated or swindled, you’ve unknowingly used an ethnic slur. This term derives from “Gypsy,” a sometimes derogatory term for the Romani people, perpetuating the stereotype that Romani people are dishonest or thieves. Many people use this phrase without realizing its offensive nature. Better choices include saying you were “cheated,” “scammed,” or “ripped off” to express the same idea without the harmful racial connotations.
Grandfather Clause
This seemingly innocuous term has troubling historical roots in post-Civil War America. Originally, “grandfather clauses” were laws created to prevent Black Americans from voting by requiring literacy tests or poll taxes unless their grandfathers had voted before 1867—effectively excluding those whose ancestors were enslaved. Today, you can use “legacy policy,” “previous standard,” or “existing condition exemption” instead to describe permissions granted to those already in a system when rules change.
Open the Kimono
This bizarre business expression means to reveal information or be transparent, but it carries offensive orientalist and sexist overtones. The phrase objectifies Japanese culture and women, suggesting something exotic being exposed. Instead, simply say “share information,” “be transparent,” or “disclose details” to convey openness without the inappropriate cultural and gender implications that make this phrase particularly unsuitable for professional settings.
Spirit Animal
Casually claiming something or someone as your “spirit animal” has become common in social media and everyday conversation. However, this appropriates important religious and cultural concepts from many Indigenous traditions where spirit animals hold sacred significance. Many Native Americans have expressed discomfort with this casual usage. Try saying someone or something is your “inspiration,” “role model,” or “favorite” instead to express enthusiasm without borrowing from specific cultural traditions.
Peanut Gallery
Many people use this phrase to describe critics or hecklers without knowing its problematic history. In vaudeville theaters, the “peanut gallery” referred to the cheapest, highest seats often occupied by Black patrons during segregation who would sometimes throw peanuts at performers they disliked. The term carries classist and racist undertones. Better alternatives include “critics,” “commenters,” or “the audience” depending on your specific meaning.
No Can Do
This seemingly innocent phrase actually has racist origins. It emerged in the 19th century as a way to mock Chinese immigrants who were learning English. The expression mimics perceived “broken English” patterns and was used alongside other derogatory phrases. Instead, simply say “I can’t do that” or “that’s not possible” to convey the same meaning without the problematic cultural mockery that lingers in this expression.
Long Time No See
Similar to “no can do,” this greeting mocks the English spoken by Native Americans and Chinese immigrants. It originated as a way to make fun of non-native English speakers by imitating their speech patterns. While many people use this phrase without any negative intent, awareness of its origins might make you prefer alternatives like “it’s been a while,” “good to see you again,” or “it’s been too long” for a more respectful greeting.
Hip Hip Hooray
This celebratory cheer has a dark history many people don’t realize. The phrase reportedly originated from German anti-Jewish rallies in the 1800s where “hep hep” was a rallying cry during persecution of Jewish people. The phrase “hep hep” may have come from the Latin “Hierosolyma est perdita” meaning “Jerusalem is lost.” Consider using “hooray,” “cheers,” or “bravo” instead to celebrate without the troubling historical connection.
Hysteria
This term is still commonly used to describe extreme emotional reactions, but its history is deeply sexist. The word comes from the Greek “hystera” meaning uterus, and historically “hysteria” was considered a female mental disorder caused by disturbances in the uterus. Women were often diagnosed with this condition when they showed any emotional distress or defied social norms. Better alternatives include “intense emotion,” “panic,” or “overreaction” to describe excessive emotional states without the gendered medical baggage.
Lame
Using “lame” to describe something disappointing, ineffective, or uncool actually stigmatizes physical disability. Originally referring to people with mobility impairments, this term has evolved into slang that associates disability with inadequacy or inferiority. Many disability advocates point out how this casual usage reinforces negative attitudes toward physical disabilities. Try using more specific words like “disappointing,” “boring,” “weak,” or “ineffective” instead to express your thoughts without potentially harmful associations.
Drink the Kool-Aid
This common phrase referring to blindly following an idea or leader trivializes one of the most tragic mass deaths in modern history. The expression references the 1978 Jonestown massacre where over 900 people died after being forced at gunpoint to drink flavor aid laced with cyanide. The tragedy involved coercion and murder rather than blind obedience. Consider alternatives like “accept something without question” or “follow blindly” instead of making light of this devastating historical event.
Paddy Wagon
This term for a police transport vehicle has racist origins targeting Irish immigrants. “Paddy” was a derogatory term for Irish people, and the phrase implied that Irish Americans were frequently arrested. The term emerged during a period of strong anti-Irish sentiment in America. Try using neutral alternatives like “police van,” “patrol wagon,” or “transport vehicle” instead to avoid perpetuating these outdated ethnic stereotypes.
Off the Reservation
People use this phrase to describe someone who’s broken from the norm or gone rogue, without considering its disturbing historical context. The expression refers to Native Americans who left government-assigned reservation lands, often after being forcibly relocated there. Using this phrase casually ignores the brutal history of displacement and control of Indigenous peoples. Better options include “went off-script,” “broke protocol,” or “strayed from expectations” to convey similar meaning without the troubling historical baggage.
Tipping Point
This seemingly innocent phrase used to describe the moment when change becomes significant or unstoppable has problematic origins in racist housing policies. “Tipping point” originally referred to the percentage of non-white families moving into a previously white neighborhood that would trigger white residents to move out en masse. While its usage has evolved, awareness of this history might make you prefer alternatives like “turning point,” “crucial moment,” or “threshold” instead.
Eskimo
Though still commonly used, particularly in compound terms like “Eskimo kiss,” this is actually a term many Indigenous Arctic peoples consider offensive. The word may have originated from a non-Inuit language meaning “eater of raw meat” or from terms implying “snowshoe-netters.” Most Arctic Indigenous peoples prefer to be called by their specific tribal names (like Inuit or Yupik) rather than this general term imposed by outsiders. When talking about traditional practices or referring to these cultures, using the specific nation or community name shows greater respect.
Uppity
This seemingly innocent word for someone acting above their station has deeply racist origins in the American South. The term was specifically used to describe Black people who “didn’t know their place” in the Jim Crow era, often preceding violence against them. Many people use this word without knowing its disturbing history. Better alternatives include “arrogant,” “pretentious,” or “self-important” to describe someone acting superior without invoking this loaded term with its painful historical context.
Gerrymandering
While this political practice of manipulating electoral boundaries definitely needs to be retired, the term itself has interesting origins many people don’t realize. The word comes from Elbridge Gerry, a Massachusetts governor who in 1812 approved a redistricting map with a salamander-shaped district, leading to the portmanteau “Gerry-mander.” Unlike many phrases on this list, understanding this term’s etymology actually helps explain the concept it describes, making it worth knowing even as we work to eliminate the practice itself.
Master Bedroom
This household term has troubling connections to America’s history of slavery, though linguistic experts debate its exact origins. Some believe the term emerged in the 1920s real estate market referring to the largest bedroom, while others connect it to plantation terminology. Regardless, many real estate associations now avoid this language due to potential connections with slavery and gender hierarchy. Better alternatives include “primary bedroom,” “main bedroom,” or simply “largest bedroom” to describe this space in your home.
Blacklist and Whitelist
These common technical and professional terms reinforce the problematic association of “black” with negative concepts and “white” with positive ones. This color symbolism contributes to subtle biases in how we view race, even when used in completely unrelated contexts. Technology companies and professionals increasingly use alternatives like “block list” and “allow list” or “deny list” and “permit list” to maintain the functional meaning without the problematic color associations that can perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
Mumbo Jumbo
This dismissive phrase used to describe complicated or nonsensical language actually mocks a Mandinka religious practice. The term derives from “Maamajomboo,” a ceremonial dancer in West African religious traditions who wore masks and spoke in a language ordinary people couldn’t understand. Using this phrase disrespects important cultural practices by reducing them to meaningless gibberish. Better alternatives include “jargon,” “nonsense,” or “gobbledygook” to describe confusing language without the cultural appropriation.
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