If someone uses these 10 phrases, they've probably learned them in the 70s

Some phrases just carry a whole era inside them.

I’ll never forget the first time my neighbor—who’s now in her late 70s—told me to “keep on truckin’” as I was leaving the grocery store. I smiled, mostly because it sounded so out of place… but also because it made me feel weirdly reassured.

Like someone was cheering me on from another time.

Language is culture. And the things we repeat over and over tend to stick, especially when they’re learned during formative years.

That’s why so many folks who grew up in the 1970s still carry little verbal relics from that decade — phrases rooted in optimism, counterculture, or just good old-fashioned grit.

Here are 10 phrases that tend to show up in people who came of age in the 70s—and why they still say more than you might think.

1. “Keep on truckin’”

Originally lifted from a comic strip and embraced by the counterculture, this phrase became shorthand for resilience during a complicated decade.

If someone says “keep on truckin’,” they’re not just encouraging you—they’re echoing a time when people had to push through social change, economic stress, and cultural upheaval with a smile and a shrug.

It carries that slow, steady, nothing-can-stop-you vibe. It also suggests a deep trust in momentum—just keep going, even if you don’t know exactly where you’re headed. People who use this phrase usually mean well.

They’re not minimizing your struggle. They’re just telling you, in their own way, that perseverance matters more than perfection. And that’s a very 70s kind of wisdom.

2. “Right on!”

More than just agreement, “right on” was a whole-hearted yes to someone’s values, efforts, or emotions. It started as a term of solidarity in civil rights and activist circles, then spread into mainstream slang.

When someone says “right on,” especially with real enthusiasm, it’s not just about being correct — it’s about alignment. You’re vibing. You’re showing up with shared energy.

People who still use this phrase today often have that open-minded, go-with-the-flow kind of spirit. It’s affirming without being performative.

And it has a way of making even small moments feel seen and validated. Not a bad legacy for a two-word phrase.

3. “Can you dig it?”

This one’s a classic call for connection—and it means more than “do you understand?”

At its core, “can you dig it?” is about emotional resonance.

It’s asking, “Do you feel this too?” It came from jazz circles and found a second life in 70s funk, film, and everyday slang. If someone still says this today, they probably have a playful side and a strong sense of rhythm — in conversation and in life.

There’s something earthy and grounded about the phrasing. It doesn’t demand an answer. It invites one. And it tells you the speaker cares more about shared feeling than a polished response.

Honestly, it reminds me of something Rudá Iandê touches on in his newly published book Laughing in the Face of Chaos — the idea that “Our emotions are not barriers, but profound gateways to the soul.”

That’s exactly what this phrase invites us into: a moment of soulful connection. 

4. “Outta sight!”

This one is pure joy in a phrase.

It means something blew your mind — in a good way.

Whether it was a song, a sunset, or someone finally standing up for themselves, “outta sight” was the go-to for those wow moments.

If someone still uses this today, chances are they see the world with a little extra wonder. They’re not jaded. They like to be impressed.

And they want you to know it. The phrase also signals a deep connection to music and visual culture—because in the 70s, what you saw and heard mattered more than ever.

Disco, protest art, and personal expression all exploded—and this phrase captures the sparkle of it all.

5. “Give me some skin”

Also known as “slap me five,” this phrase was less about the literal hand contact and more about shared connection. It was a quick, casual way to say “I see you,” “We’re in this together,” or “That was awesome.”

When someone still says “give me some skin,” they’re not just being nostalgic—they’re recreating a moment of mutual recognition.

There’s something very grounding about it.

No phones, no emojis—just palm to palm, person to person. In a way, it’s an invitation to drop the pretense and meet each other as we are. And that’s timeless, even if the phrase is vintage.

6. “What’s your bag?”

This phrase gets tossed around as a quirky way to ask, “What’s your deal?” But originally, it had a deeper meaning — what’s your motivation, your angle, your thing?

In the 70s, it was a way to peel back the surface and get to someone’s truth.

People who still say it now usually have a good sense of humor and a subtle way of reading people.

They don’t always ask direct questions — they fish around a little, see what floats up. “What’s your bag?” isn’t accusatory.

It’s curious. And it comes with the assumption that everyone’s got their own mix of weirdness, passion, and purpose — which, honestly, is kind of beautiful.

7. “Feelin’ groovy”

It’s soft, it’s sensory, and it’s 100% mood-based. Saying “feelin’ groovy” isn’t about having a perfect day. It’s about vibing with the moment—even if it’s messy.

This phrase came straight from the Summer of Love and carried through into the chill zones of the 70s, especially among those who embraced peace, art, and personal freedom.

When someone says this today, they’re probably tapped into their body, their breath, and the present moment.

There’s something deeply mindful about it — even if they don’t call it that.

“Feelin’ groovy” is the opposite of hustle culture. It’s a subtle rebellion in favor of pleasure, ease, and presence.

8. “Cool it”

This wasn’t just something moms yelled at the dinner table — it was a real 70s de-escalation tool. “Cool it” meant take a breath, lower your voice, and stop spiraling.

It had a gentleness to it, even when said firmly. If someone still uses this today, they likely value harmony over drama. They’re not ignoring conflict—they’re just trying to reset the energy.

In a world that’s gotten louder and more reactive, “cool it” hits differently now.

It’s not about suppressing emotion — it’s about grounding it. And that emotional regulation is something we could probably all use a little more of.

9. “Far out”

“Far out” is one of those phrases that sounds silly until you realize how expressive it actually is.

It captures awe, disbelief, and appreciation all in one.

“Far out” means something stretched your perspective—whether it’s a thought, a piece of music, or a personal insight. It was huge in the 70s when people were experimenting with ideas, identity, and the limits of what was “normal.”

People who still say this often carry that same open-minded, exploratory energy. They’re not thrown off by the unconventional. In fact, they seek it out.

“Far out” people tend to be the ones who sit at the edges, watch closely, and say just the right thing when you least expect it.

10. “Make love, not war”

Arguably the most famous phrase of the era, this one wasn’t just a protest chant — it was a worldview. It pushed back against violence, division, and fear with a call for connection, softness, and peace.

If someone still uses this phrase sincerely, they likely carry a deep commitment to emotional presence and relational integrity.

It’s not just about romance — it’s about leading with compassion in a world that often rewards force. These are the people who stay calm during a heated conversation, who reach for understanding over control.

They remember when “love” was a radical act. And they still treat it that way.

Final thoughts

Language is memory. And these phrases aren’t just nostalgic quirks — they’re time capsules for a generation shaped by revolution, rhythm, and redefinition.

People who still say things like “right on” or “can you dig it?” aren’t stuck in the past—they’re carrying forward a kind of emotional shorthand born from a time when connection felt urgent, authenticity was everything, and rebellion was often expressed through warmth and wit.

There’s something comforting about hearing these expressions.

They remind us that being earnest, curious, or even a little groovy was once a way of life—and still can be.

In his book Laughing in the Face of Chaos, Rudá Iandê writes, “We live immersed in an ocean of stories, from the collective narratives that shape our societies to the personal tales that define our sense of self.”

These phrases are part of those stories—ripples from a time when language and meaning were deeply intertwined.