The 1990s were the best for so many reasons. There was the grunge fashion, the iconic boy bands, and hilarious fads we’ll never forget (looking at you, slap bracelets). But if you’re stuck in ‘90s nostalgia, you may sound like it too, especially if you’re still using the slang terms that were popular back in the day. Whether you’re talking like a Valley Girl and saying “As if!” like Cher in Clueless or calling your best buds “home skillets,” these are the outdated phrases that are setting you back in time to before the new millennium. And for more cool terms that have become passé, check out the 100 Slang Terms From the 20th Century No One Uses Anymore.
1 | As if!
Paramount PicturesIf you grew up in the ‘90s, then you know—and probably worshipped—the hit teen movieClueless, where this term originated. “As if” was used when you'd talk about something preposterous or ridiculous that would never actually happen.
Example: “Wanna go out?” “Ugh, as if!”
And for more famous celebrities from this era, check out The Biggest '90s TV Teen Idols, Then and Now.
2 | All that and a bag of chips
ShutterstockThis was the ultimate compliment in the mid-’90s. It meant that a person or thing was even more awesome than you’d expect.
Example: “Stacy may be the coolest girl in school, but Janet is all that and a bag of chips.”
And for more nostalgia that kids today don't appreciate, check out the 100 Photos That Kids Born After 2000 Will Never Understand.
3 | All
iStockToday, we use the word “like” as filler in our conversations. But in the ‘90s, the go-to term was “all.”
Example: “She was all… then he was all…”
4 | Da bomb
iStockWhen a place or situation was really amazing in the ‘90s, you’d say it was “da bomb.”
Example: “That sleepover was da bomb!”
5 | Booyah!
ShutterstockHave you ever been so excited about something but didn’t have an expression that quite fit your level of happiness? That’s where “Booyah!” came in in the '90s.
Example: “Did you hear class was canceled?” “Booyah!!”
6 | Fly
ShutterstockWhen something was “fly,” it was considered really stylish or cool. It usually described an outfit, accessory, or car.
Example: “His bomber jacket is fly.”
And for more killer looks, check out the Fashion Trends Only Cool '90s Kids Will Remember.
7 | Whatever
Antonio Guillem / ShutterstockAnother iconic word from Clueless, “whatever” was usually said sarcastically and accommodated by an eye roll. It was an easy way to end a conversation you’d rather not be having.
Example: “Do your homework, Carrie.” “Whatever.”
8 | Loser
ShutterstockYes, we still use the word loser in our lingo. But not with our fingers in the shape of an L on our foreheads, as Smash Mouth would go on to sing so famously in their hit song “All Star.”
Example: “OK, loser.”
9 | My bad
ShutterstockThis was a quick and easy apology if you made a mistake or did something wrong. Instead of saying, “I’m sorry,” you’d say “My bad.”
Example: “I totally forgot to call her. My bad!”
10 | No duh
Shutterstock“No duh” was the best joking response when someone was stating the obvious.
Example: “The sky is so blue!” “No duh.”
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11 | Talk to the hand
ShutterstockIn the ‘90s, if you got in a fight with your BFF, the best clapback to a sassy comment was “talk to the hand.” Think of it as another way to say “shut up.” And if you wanted to throw in extra attitude, you'd tack on, "'Cause the face don't wanna listen."
Example: “You’re so lame for not wanting to come to the party tonight.” “Talk to the hand.”
12 | Not
ShutterstockOK, yes, you definitely use this term in your day-to-day life, but not in the same way as we did in the ‘90s. When you wanted to play a trick on a friend, you’d agree with what they said and then hit them with a sarcastic role reversal.
Example: “Nickelback is the greatest band ever… NOT!”
13 | Oh no she didn’t
ShutterstockWhen drama went down or fighting words were exchanged, ‘90s kids would typically say, “Oh no she didn’t!”
Example: “Rose didn’t make room for Jack on the door.” “Oh no she didn’t!”
14 | Oh, snap
iStockThis fun ‘90s exclamation was made when something shocking or unexpected happened.
Example: “Did you hear that Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears are dating?” “Oh, snap!”
15 | Cool beans
ShutterstockThough “great” or “sure” would suffice, it was much more fun to say “cool beans.”
Example: “I’ll pick you up at 8.” “Cool beans.”
16 | Your mom
Shutterstock“Your mom” or “Yo mama” was the ultimate insult to throw at someone when you were in a fight.
Example: “I don't like you anymore." "Well, I don't like yo mama!"
17 | Bounce
ShutterstockWhen you and your crew were ready to go somewhere, you’d announce, “Let’s bounce!” You could also say “We outtie.”
Example: “Our ride is here. Let’s bounce!”
18 | Dip
ShutterstockDip had the same meaning as bounce and was typically used upon leaving a party or place.
Example: “It’s midnight, I gotta dip.”
19 | Crib
Anastase Maragos / UnsplashIf you lived in a cool apartment or house, you’d call it a crib, a slang term made even more popular when MTV Cribs premiered in 2000.
Example: “Welcome to my crib!”
20 | Dope
ShutterstockDope was synonymous with fly or even “rad” for those ‘80s folks.
Example: “Your dance moves are dope!”
21 | Home skillet
ShutterstockFor some reason, we all called our best buds “home skillet” in the ‘90s as a term of endearment.
Example: “Hey, home skillet! Glad you could make it to the party!”
22 | Take a chill pill
iStockIf a friend or family member was upset over something you considered trivial, you’d tell them to calm down by taking a chill pill.
Example: “Jeez, it’s not that big of a deal. Take a chill pill.”
23 | Word
iStockBy saying “word,” you were agreeing with someone or showing that you understood something. It’s synonymous with the expression “that’s cool.”
Example: “I love this flannel shirt.” “Word.”
24 | Buggin’ out
iStockLet’s say someone was acting differently than they usually did or picking a fight by blowing a comment out of proportion. In this case, you’d usually ask why they were “buggin’ out.”
Example: “You seem off… Why are you buggin’?”
25 | Wassup
ShutterstockAs a friendly greeting, you wouldn’t ask, “How are you?” or “What are you up to?” In the '90s, you’d get straight to the point with a “Wassup?” or simply “Sup?”
Example: “Wassup, dude?”
And if you loved growing up in the '90s, check out the 25 Reasons Why Being a Kid in the '90s Totally Ruled.