11 Sayings Iowans Use That Instantly Give Away Your Age

It only takes one phrase to give away your age.

You might say “dial the phone” or call something “groovy” without thinking twice. But to someone younger, it’s a dead giveaway.

No matter how much you love using them, these are the words and phrases that age Iowans in an instant.

“Tape It” or “I Taped That Show”

Before there was streaming, there were blank VHS tapes and the trusty VCR.

If you wanted to catch a show later, you had to set a timer, label your tape, and make sure no one taped over it. Recording television was an event, and “taping” something meant you really cared about it.

Today, most people say “record” or “watch it later.”

The idea of “taping” anything sounds almost funny to younger generations. Many have never even seen a VCR, let alone used one.

But for older Americans, “tape it” is still the default phrase, even if the tapeless technology is completely different now.

Using this expression might feel natural, but it instantly places you in a time when TV schedules mattered, Friday nights had must-see lineups, and the video store was just around the corner.

“Long-Distance Call”

Once a regular part of daily life, the phrase “long-distance call” used to mean extra charges, strict time limits, and sometimes even asking permission before calling someone far away.

Phone plans didn’t cover all locations, and calling out-of-state meant you were either spending money or using up precious minutes.

Families would set schedules for long-distance calls. Kids were told to keep it short. Businesses had entire budgets built around phone time.

Today, though, most people can call across the country or even overseas without a second thought.

Saying something like “I made a long-distance call” today sounds old-fashioned. It marks someone who remembers busy signals, answering machines, and carefully written phone books.

“Dial the Phone”

There was a time when making a call wasn’t just a quick tap. You had to pick up a heavy receiver, spin a rotary dial for each number, and wait as it slowly clicked back into place.

That slow, steady rhythm was part of the experience. And even when touch-tone phones took over, people still said “dial the phone” out of habit.

Today, many older folks still use the phrase, even though dials are long gone.

Younger Americans have grown up tapping and swiping, not rotating or clicking. So when someone says they’re going to “dial” a number, it’s an easy clue they learned how to use a phone before smartphones took over.

It speaks to a time when phones had cords, calls weren’t free, and “dialing” actually meant doing something physical. To younger ears, “dial the phone” belongs to a different era.

“Cool Beans”

It’s cheerful, it’s quirky, and it was once everywhere. “Cool beans” became a favorite phrase in the 1980s and carried well into the ’90s.

It was lighthearted and often used to show approval or mild excitement. You’d hear it from teachers, parents, camp counselors, or your favorite sitcom character.

Over time, though, the phrase started to fade. It didn’t age badly; it just got replaced.

Newer generations lean on words like “fire,” “slay,” or “bet” to show the same kind of enthusiasm. If someone says “cool beans” today, chances are they grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons and using disposable cameras.

It’s still friendly and harmless, but it’s also a clear marker of a certain age.

“Talk to the Hand”

This one came straight from the ’90s and hit hard in TV shows, school hallways, and teen comedies.

“Talk to the hand” wasn’t just a phrase. It was a whole gesture. You held up your palm, turned your head, and shut the conversation down with flair.

Back then, it was peak attitude. It said everything you wanted to say without dragging it out.

Today, though, the phrase feels more nostalgic than effective. Younger generations might use humor or sarcasm, but they rarely reach for this throwback phrase unless they’re quoting something for fun.

If “talk to the hand” comes naturally, it probably means you remember slap bracelets, Lisa Frank folders, and the rise of MTV.

The phrase still gets a laugh, but it also signals that you lived through one of the sassiest decades in American pop culture.

“Groovy”

If someone drops the word “groovy” in casual conversation, chances are they either lived through the late ’60s or spent a lot of time watching reruns of shows from that era.

The word was everywhere during the hippie movement and meant something was cool, relaxed, or exciting. Whether it was music, a car, or someone’s outfit, if it was “groovy,” it had something special.

These days, the word is mostly used as a joke or in a retro, tongue-in-cheek way.

It’s not part of everyday vocabulary for most younger Americans. But for people who came of age during the flower power era, it still slips out naturally.

Hearing it today brings a certain charm, but it also places the speaker squarely in a past generation… one where bell-bottoms and lava lamps were still in fashion.

“I’m Burnin’ the Midnight Oil”

This old phrase used to be a go-to way of saying someone was working late into the night. It dates back to when oil lamps were used for lighting after dark.

By the mid-20th century, the phrase became common among students, office workers, and anyone pulling an all-nighter to get something done.

You’ll still hear it from time to time, especially from people who grew up in the ’60s, ’70s, or ’80s. But to younger ears, it sounds like something out of a history book, or maybe an old country song.

Most people today just say they’re staying up late or “grinding.”

But if you hear someone say they’re “burnin’ the midnight oil,” they probably have stories about doing research at the library, not just googling everything at 2 a.m.

“Back in My Day”

This one’s a dead giveaway. The moment someone starts a sentence with “Back in my day,” everyone knows what’s coming.

It’s usually followed by a memory about how things used to be simpler, cheaper, or more sensible. It’s not always meant to brag, but it definitely signals someone is about to share a story from way back.

Younger people may joke about it, but older Americans use it with genuine affection for the past.

Whether it’s about walking to school, using payphones, or how much gas used to cost, the phrase marks the speaker as someone with plenty of life experience.

It’s not just what you say; it’s how you say it.

“Back in my day” places you firmly in a generation that remembers a world before streaming, smartphones, and social media.

“Don’t Touch That Dial”

This phrase comes from a time when television sets had actual dials. You turned a knob to change the channel, and once you found the right one, you stayed put.

TV hosts would say, “Don’t touch that dial,” as a way to keep viewers from flipping to another program.

Even after remote controls became common, the phrase stuck around for a while.

But today, with streaming services and apps, nobody’s touching a dial because dials are gone.

Still, some people use the phrase out of habit or humor. If it shows up in conversation, it likely means the speaker remembers when prime time meant something and missing a show meant waiting for a rerun.

“That’s the Bomb”

In the late ’90s and early 2000s, calling something “the bomb” was the ultimate compliment.

It meant something was amazing, exciting, or top-tier. From music to food to a new outfit, if it was “the bomb,” it was a big deal.

But language moves fast. This phrase faded from regular use by the mid-2000s and now sounds dated. Younger Americans tend to use totally different slang to show excitement.

If you still say “that’s the bomb,” it probably means you remember flip phones, chain wallets, and the early days of the internet.

“Why Don’t You Pick Up a Map?”

Once a totally normal suggestion, this phrase now sounds like something out of a history lesson.

Before GPS and smartphones, road trips meant folding and unfolding giant paper atlases, squinting at street names, and hoping you didn’t miss your turn.