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30 Adult Children Online Open Up About Their Moms’ Best Catchphrases, And Some Are Simply Iconic
One of my mom's favorite phrases is "I told you so!" Moreover, it didn’t actually matter whether she had previously warned about good or negative consequences, the most important thing was to say these words. At first I was surprised by such incredible ‘insight,’ then it infuriated me... and only as an adult, I realized that every mother simply has her own catchphrase!
In fact, this phenomenon is so damn common that there are three viral threads in the AskReddit community - nearly one thread per year - in which users share the most iconic catchphrases from their moms. And here is a summary of the best of the best in these threads, made for you by Bored Panda.
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#1
Whenever my sister or I would complain about doing chores:
"What do you think you are, just a souvenir of a good time?"
It took me YEARS to figure that one out.
RELATED:
#3
“It’s only money”
Generally used after paying a large medical bill, or if we got in a fender bender. She isn’t a big spender, but she never put too much weight in money, as she viewed it as a tool, not her self-worth or identity.
And in fact, it is not so important under what circumstances our mothers uttered certain words - the main thing is that they were etched into our memory for many years. Our moms may have managed to grow old or even leave this world, but their favorite expressions have stayed with us for the long term, and some of us have even begun to use these words too. So to speak, to use our moms' cultural legacy.
#4
"It doesn't matter what you end up doing in life as long as you're happy."
She can be wise sometimes.
Fish that is a Panda 8 months ago
But it does matter ifwhatever you're doing doesn't pay enough.
#5
She runs through each of the kids' names before she gets to the one she actually wants to call.
"Ti-Jaa- Sarah!"
#6
Grain by grain, you can create a mountain.
Everytime she finishes a chore she says it like a mantra.
Mother of 4 and we are close in age, my dad worked 14h days so she did all the housework herself.
She went back to work when we were older and apparently her co-workers tell us she also says it everytime she finishes something.
After all, what is a person if not a set of unique memories, character traits - and, of course, the perception of them by other people? For some, these catchhrases were associated with joyful moments in life, for others - with sad ones. But still, for almost any of us, the mother occupies a very special place in life.
After all, this is the person who brought us into this world. A person of whom we were actually a part for the long months preceding our birth. And therefore, even if we strongly disagree with these phrases, over the years their perception still changes to something warm, homely and a tad bit ironic...
#7
English is my mom's second language, so instead of saying "It's my way or the highway" my mom says "My way is the highway."
#8
If it was a snake it would've bit you!
When I was looking for something in plain sight
Michelle C 8 months ago
My mom used to tell me this all the time when was a kid and still does sometimes! I’ve definitely picked up a lot from her!
#9
"Are you drinking enough water?"
Headache? Drink more water. Upset stomach? Drink water. Bad grades? You need more water. Bone protruding from your knee? Drink some water, you'll be fine.
Binny Tutera 8 months ago
My mom was a nurse, and any time we said we didn't feel good, she would have us drink a glass of water. Guess what? It often worked!
“Each of us, of course, has our own unique personal traits, and specific words, phrases and even filler words also form part of us,” says Irina Matveeva, a psychologist and certified NLP specialist, with whom Bored Panda got in touch for a comment here. "And our parents are no exception of course."
“The perception of even the funniest and most ridiculous phrases from our parents changes over the years and as we grow up. And we often end up using these words ourselves. At least I knew one family where the same comic saying was passed on for at least four generations. Moreover, the younger ones already used the phrase consciously, as the family's ‘unique feature.’"
#10
People in Hell want icewater, and they don't get it either. As a small child I used to point at things in stores and go "Oooooh, I want that!" She'd respond with that phrase. Now that I'm grown it's a joke. The other day we were driving to the grocery store and she mentioned wanting pizza from a certain restaurant that was closed. I grinned and said, "People in Hell want icewater, and they don't get it either!" She laughed and called me a smarta**.
Apatheist Account2 8 months ago
In teaching us to be polite, we were told "I want doesn't get". That did not work with my bosses or wife :(
#12
"Listen to me now and believe me later."
"The nature of human memory is such that we tend to perceive many things from our childhood and youth with warmth, and various bad memories are actually 'washed out' from our reminiscences. This happens from year to year, from decade to decade - and now it’s our kids’ turn to crack up at our own 'mommish' wordings! This is life, and nothing can be done about it. Maybe someone could perceive this as yet another 'mom phrase'," Irina smiles.
#13
“It’s not what you say it’s how you say it”
CEO of not putting up with my angsty teen attitude. This phrase used to drive me crazy.
#15
Me: *does something stupid *
My mom: "common sense, not common in everyone.".
Channon Doughty 8 months ago
My Mom's version was "They couldn't find their way out of a paper bag with both ends marked exit"
What else is left to add? Maybe to suggest that you scroll this list to the very end, read all these stories, smile and smile once more - and, perhaps, recognize the features of your own mom in someone’s nameless parent? In the end, mothers are all the same, at least in terms of love for their children. Even if these kids do not always realize this. Well, let’s just read and have a great time reading!
#16
When she gets startled she'll say "Heavens to Murgatroyd!" which we've come to understand was stolen from a Yogi Bear character.
#17
“You can’t fly with the eagles when you run with the turkeys” It’s served me well so far.
MotherofGuineaPigs 8 months ago
Good advice - turkeys are mean. We have a forest preserve down the street and whenever we need to drive in that direction, Mr. Turkey is always ready to attack the car.
#18
“Choices and consequences” recently I quoted it to my daughter (she was dancing in the bath,slipped and banged her head) and I realised I am my mum.
Did I say that out loud? (he/him)cis/het 8 months ago
I hope you then told her not to come running if she's broken her leg.
#19
"You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.".
Did I say that out loud? (he/him)cis/het 8 months ago
You'll catch even more with a steaming great turd.
#20
“All I know is, I love you”
followed by a close second
“I’m doing the best I can”
#21
I brought you into this world and I'll take you the f**k out of it. Usually while holding this giant metal rolling pin she had.
MotherofGuineaPigs 8 months ago
Mom had a wooden spatula - that sucker had no wind resistance in the swing
#22
“Finesse, not force”
I have to admit over the years it’s helped me step back and take a breath before I end up breaking something to shit in frustration.
#23
Every time we went on vacation when we started complaining she would yell "We are making MEMORIES."
Did I say that out loud? (he/him)cis/het 8 months ago
To be fair, she didn't specify *good* memories.
#24
"Wait! This bit's poisoned!"
Said every time she walked past me, while I was eating something; then promptly followed by her grabbing the "poisoned" bit of whatever I was eating and eating it herself.
She did this everyday while I lived under her roof. She still does it every time I visit or we go out for dinner.
#26
"We've got food at home"
Did I say that out loud? (he/him)cis/het 8 months ago
Yeah, but I've got to cook it and then clean up afterwards.
#27
"Know what I mean, Jellybean?"
My bf says if you asked his mom what's for dinner, a common response would be.. "fried farts, and pickled a******s" lol - shes very eccentric.
#28
"Look with your eyes, not with your mouth"
heard this one too many times when asking mum to help me find stuff.
#29
You reap what you sow.
#30
Muuuuuum what's for dinner?
"S**t with sugar on top".
What do you think ?
Binny Tutera 8 months ago
My mom always said, "You can make the world better, or you can make the world worse. But you cannot leave it the way you found it."
LauraDragonWench 8 months ago
I'm surprised I didn't see one of the more famous phrases: "There are starving children in Africa, so finish your food!" Never did understand the correlation - I was always perfectly willing to mail those poor kids my unfinished food, but that answer never went down very well. 😜
Auntriarch 8 months ago
We went to Africa when I was five, I noticed pretty quickly that there were no starving children in evidence, my mother had to backpedal smartly and assure me that the starving children were in a different part of Africa because it was big. She was actually right on both counts...
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Trillian 8 months ago
"I am not your external hard drive" for my son who expected me to remember all his things for him.
Michael Largey 8 months ago
Somehow my mother (born 1923) never came up with that one.
Load More Replies... Binny Tutera 8 months ago
My mom always said, "You can make the world better, or you can make the world worse. But you cannot leave it the way you found it."
LauraDragonWench 8 months ago
I'm surprised I didn't see one of the more famous phrases: "There are starving children in Africa, so finish your food!" Never did understand the correlation - I was always perfectly willing to mail those poor kids my unfinished food, but that answer never went down very well. 😜
Auntriarch 8 months ago
We went to Africa when I was five, I noticed pretty quickly that there were no starving children in evidence, my mother had to backpedal smartly and assure me that the starving children were in a different part of Africa because it was big. She was actually right on both counts...
Load More Replies... Trillian 8 months ago
"I am not your external hard drive" for my son who expected me to remember all his things for him.
Michael Largey 8 months ago
Somehow my mother (born 1923) never came up with that one.
Load More Replies...
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