We all have those sayings that we use every day that, although we think they sound normal, are actually pretty outdated. But don’t worry because we’re here to help you out with them. We’ve got 26 sayings you should probably stop saying unless you want to sound really older.
The Bee Metaphor
Remember when being “busy as a bee” was a nice way to say you’re swamped? These days, everyone’s glued to their smartphones or hopping from one Zoom call to another, meaning that being busy is just normal for us now. And with all those productivity apps out there, the hard part is being efficiently busy.
No More Counting Chickens
People used to say, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch,” so other people would avoid getting ahead of themselves. But in our world of instant updates and real-time tracking, we’re able to predict the results way before they actually happen. Why wait around to see how things turn out when you’ve got analytics to tell you almost exactly what’ll happen?
Animal Cruelty
“More than one way to skin a cat” is a saying that’s outdated mostly because so many of us are animal lovers. But besides that, we understand today that there are so many other solutions to problems that are equally effective as they are kind. It’s time to leave that metaphorical cat alone and just say we can solve issues in different ways.
Old Dogs and New Tricks
Saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” is pretty demeaning to older people, so why do some people still do it? Age is just a number and no matter how old you are, you can learn how to use the latest tech or try out a new hobby. Lifelong learning is something we should always try to work towards, and there’s no need to put up this age barrier.
Cake Doesn’t Cut It
Once upon a time, “that takes the cake” used to mean something surprising, but it doesn’t really work today. After all, videos go viral every second, and there’s a shocking news story every five minutes. Saying something “takes the cake” doesn’t capture the drama of the situation because things need to be “extra” or “epic” to really stand out.
Bye Bye Horsey
Getting it “straight from the horse’s mouth” sounds like solid advice. Unfortunately, we’re living in a time where fake news and misinformation are more widespread than ever, so direct isn’t always best. We prefer our facts to be double and triple-checked by third parties and supported by real data, thank you very much.
Why Slow Down?
Patience is certainly a virtue, but in a world where even next-day delivery seems slow, “hold your horses” sounds outdated. We care a lot more about speed and efficiency than the consequences of rushing. Waiting around? No thanks, we’d rather keep things moving as quickly as we can.
Chasing Good Things
Likewise, “Good things come to those who wait” doesn’t fly in our fast-paced, instant-gratification culture, even with the consequences. Instead, we recognized that working hard for your dreams can actually bring about change, no matter how long you wait. We want to make things happen instead of waiting around for them.
Midnight Oil is Out
We used to use “burning the midnight out” as a way to talk about those late-night work sessions. But now? We care a lot about having a work-life balance, so late nights are out, and setting healthy boundaries is in. Plus, with remote work, who needs to stay up late when you just schedule a more reasonable time instead?
No More Wind
“Throw caution to the wind” is one of those sayings you use when you feel like being spontaneous and daring. But let’s be real, being cautious is the new cool these days, and winging it just doesn’t cut it anymore. Lots of care about calculated risks and safety nets rather than going for it without a second thought.
Who’s Got the Time?
“Make hay while the sun shines” is meant to be a saying to encourage us to take advantage of good conditions. But the problem is that today, the sun’s always shining on opportunities, thanks to the internet and global markets. There’s no point waiting for perfect conditions when you can seize the day, rain or shine.
Being More Reflective
People used to say, “don’t cry over spilt milk,” but that just seems wrong nowadays. After all, it’s important to reflect on what went wrong and learn from our mistakes instead of just brushing off our losses. We need to learn what to do to stop those issues from happening again, so maybe there’s something in this whole crying thing.
Digital Currency
In the past, “money doesn’t grow on trees” was meant to teach us about the grind of earning every dollar. Fast forward to now, and cryptocurrencies or online investments can balloon overnight. Our understanding of earning and investment has completely changed, so this saying feels pretty outdated.
We Need a Menu
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” sounds snappy, but it’s just not enough anymore. Modern health guidance is way more complicated, and we understand that we need a varied diet to stay healthy, not just one type of fruit. A balanced plate means a healthy lifestyle, so you’ll need a little more than an apple to be healthy.
Social Media Tells a Different Story
Social media is everywhere, meaning that “actions speak louder than words” just doesn’t ring true anymore. You can send a tweet or update your status to send a message across the globe instantly. Even if you’re a thousand miles away, you can drive action and influence people’s opinions with just a few words.
Gift Receipts Are In
There’s no point avoiding “looking a gift horse in the mouth” because getting an exchange or refund is so easy now. It’s not just acceptable to get a gift that fits your life but expected. We care far more about thoughtfulness and practicality than the tradition of just giving a gift and expecting them to accept it.
Work and Play
Gone are the days when “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” made people afraid of a dreary life. In today’s world, lots of people mix their passions with their professions to turn their hobbies into a career that actually pays off. Work and leisure don’t have to be so divided anymore.
The Digital Pen is Mightier
The saying, “The pen is mightier than the sword,” has completely changed because digital platforms can allow anyone’s voice to be heard. It doesn’t matter if you use a smartphone or a laptop because either one can allow you to make a viral post to influence people around the world. Digital communication is way more powerful than any pen.
Night Owls On Top
We’re connected 24/7 today, so “early to bed, early to rise” doesn’t hold up anymore. Night owls thrive just as much as early birds, and they do their best work when the traditional workers are asleep. Our views of productivity have completely changed, and we understand that success isn’t tied to our alarm clocks.
Raise Your Voice
We may have thought “silence is golden” in the past, but today, expressing yourself and open dialogue are important in every conversation. We know just how important it is to speak out for both our personal and social development. Communication helps us to understand each other and change the world in a positive way.
When the Storm Hits
The saying “When it rains, it pours” makes it seem like bad times are overwhelming, but that’s just not true. We look for opportunities we can get from facing challenges and how they can help us grow. Any potential setbacks don’t have to hold us back anymore, as they can just be steps for the path forward.
Don’t Wait
Waiting for “every cloud to have a silver lining” isn’t enough anymore. Instead, we’d rather make things happen ourselves and create our own “silver linings” through our creative skills. We’re not just waiting for things to improve but actually working towards better results. What could be better than that?
The Comfort of Stability
We used to believe that “a rolling stone gathers no moss” because it meant that continually trying hard would lead to positive change. But now? We’d rather have the stability and continuity that comes from “gathering moss.” Building lasting relationships is far more useful than continually changing.
Not Just the Bush
We’re living in a world where aiming high and not settling high is normal. So why tell people that “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush?” We encourage people to not just settle with what’s in hand but to aim for bigger and better things. After all, expanding your horizons is far better than the immediate and easy.
Riding Solo
“Two heads are better than one” might be good for teamwork, but let’s not forget the importance of working solo. Individual creators are proving that they can rock the boat just as much, if not more, than team players. Solo flyers are creating their own paths and creating a revolution all by themselves.
Positive Parenting
Forget the idea of “spare the rod, spoil the child” because we’d rather prop our kids up today. It’s less about claps on the head and more about claps of applause. Many parents today would rather cheer on their child’s efforts and celebrate their successes, but not just because it’s the law. They’d rather build stronger and happier young minds.
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