Growing up, my parents sure had a lot of phrases that now as a parent I find myself using on my child.

These phrases include the classic, “If you keep making that face it’s gonna stay like that.” or my fave, “Don’t walk outside with your hair wet, or else you’ll get sick.” I never did get sick due to wet hair, but I also never tried stepping outside with wet hair because I was too nervous to risk getting sick!

However, My favorite phrase my dad would tell us whenever we were annoying him was, “Calgon, take me away.” I never knew who Calgon was and why he needed to be taken away, but now as a parent, it all makes sense and thanks to google I was able to discover where my dad got that phrase from.

I knew I wasn’t alone when it came to phrases we were told as children that we couldn’t seem to forget so I asked others what phrase they were told by their parents that they still remember to this day.

Here are some of the best phrases El Pasoans heard as a child and just can’t seem to forget as an adult:

"My dad's favorite cuss word,..was the "C" word!?!...... Cheese and Crackers!!!"

Ah yes, a good ole Dad joke mixed with a memorable phrase!

'Stop crying or I'll give you something to cry about"

Exactly what our parents meant by this, we’ll never know but all I know is that I was not about to find out!!

“Don't turn the lights on in the car, it's illegal.”

Wait- IT’S NOT ILLEGAL?! My whole life has been a lie!

“In the mornings before work, my dad would say “time to make the donuts.” He was a construction worker. Lol!”

Not sure what she was referencing? No worries, I got you.

Now, the next few phrases pretty much sum up what it feels like to be a parent:

"When we complained that there was nothing to do, we were told to go play in the traffic!!"

 

"My dad used to quote the line "I'll have to sell you off for medical experiments."

 

"My mom would tell us to “Go jump in the lake” when she thought we were lying."

Dang. Has anyone checked in on these children?! 

 

Court Del Norte Motel

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