12 TV Catchphrases Everyone Repeated — Then Suddenly Stopped

These 12 TV catchphrases were once very popular but have mostly fallen out of use today.

Sophia Zapanta
May 23, 2025
3 min read

12 TV Catchphrases Everyone Repeated — Then Suddenly Stopped — Anete Lusina on Pexels

TV catchphrases often become part of everyday language for a while. People repeat them, and they become widely recognized. However, many of these phrases lose their popularity over time and are no longer commonly used.

1. “How you doin’?”

Alan Light on Wikimedia Commons

This phrase was made famous by Joey on Friends as a casual, confident greeting. It became very popular in the early 2000s and was frequently used outside the show. Over time, it began to sound forced and stopped being popular in conversations.

2. “D’oh!”

Alan Nakkash on Wikimedia Commons

Homer Simpson’s quick exclamation expresses frustration or a mistake. It became widely known and was even added to dictionaries. As people grew familiar with it, it stopped being fresh and lost some of its original humor.

3. “I pity the fool!”

Annie Mole on Wikimedia Commons

This phrase was used by Mr. T on The A-Team to express disdain or warning. It was common in the 1980s and often quoted in popular culture. Today, it is mostly remembered as a nostalgic reference rather than a phrase people use.

4. “Yada, yada, yada.”

TheCuriousGnome on Wikimedia Commons

This phrase, used in Seinfeld to skip over unnecessary details, helped people avoid boring parts of stories. It was popular in the 1990s and early 2000s. However, newer slang has replaced it, and it is rarely used now.

5. “Bazinga!”

Martini on Wikimedia Commons

Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory used this word to indicate a joke or prank. It became popular among fans and briefly spread into everyday speech. However, its overuse caused it to lose impact, and it is now mostly remembered by fans.

6. “How rude!”

Autor Desconhecido on Wikimedia Commons

Stephanie Tanner from Full House used this phrase to call out bad manners lightly. While it was common in family settings and casual speech for a time, the phrase feels outdated today and is not commonly used anymore.

7. “Legendary!”

Angela George on Wikimedia Commons

Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother used this word to describe exciting moments. It was repeated often and became a catchphrase for celebrating success. The phrase lost its effect as it became overused and is now less common.

8. “Whatchu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?”

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Wikimedia Commons

Arnold from Diff’rent Strokes said this line to express confusion or disbelief. It was a recognizable and often quoted phrase in the 1980s. Today, it is mostly a nostalgic reference rather than a common phrase.

9. “I’m the king of the world!”

Thore Siebrands on Wikimedia Commons

Jack from Titanic shouted this line to express freedom and joy. It became a well-known phrase associated with feeling powerful. Over time, it became a cliché and is mostly used jokingly now.

10. “You’re fired!”

Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons

Donald Trump used this phrase on The Apprentice to end a contestant’s participation. It became a widely recognized catchphrase linked to dismissal. It is less common in everyday language now, especially outside the show.

11. “Say my name.”

Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons

Walter White said this in Breaking Bad as a demand for respect and recognition. The phrase became a symbol of power in the series. It is mostly quoted in serious or dramatic contexts rather than casual talk.

12. “Winter is coming.”

Rjcastillo on Wikimedia Commons

This phrase from Game of Thrones warned of danger ahead. It became a symbol of preparation and caution. Today, it is often used humorously or by fans but is not part of everyday speech.