Not that long ago "Say what?" was the in phrase. By now, though, I'm sure it has been replaced by something more chic, or more hip, or whatever struck the fancy of contemporary phrase crafters.

A couple of issues ago the AARP Bulletin (and don't call AARP the old geezers club -- membership is open to all over age 50), listed 50 expressions that over the years came and went, losing all relevancy today.

So here's a few to take grayheads and graybeards down memory lane with appropriate explanations for the young folks.

"Get pink-slipped": Referred to the practice by personnel departments of including an employment termination notice in the final pay envelope. The origin of the phrase is unknown, and there really is no evidence that these termination notices were printed on pink paper. From personal experience in my previous life (translation: before retirement), in what Marge, my wife, refers to as my tumultuous career, I was "pink-slipped" a time or two, and while the corporate-speak notice said what a valuable employee I was, it also said that I was no longer needed since they were going in a different direction, and it always was on white paper.

"Carbon copy": Typewriters, I would guess, now languish on antique store shelves, and I have no idea what use is left for carbon paper, used in typing multiple copies. But take a look at your email format. See what's just under the "To" line? Good old "cc", or carbon copy. And through the miracle of technology, you can send dozens, hundreds or even thousands of copies without smudging your fingers with carbon paper.

"Film at 11": That always was the standard message by the early evening news TV anchor concluding an important news story. The cameraman had to rush back to the studio and develop the film in time for the all-important 11 p.m. newscast.

"Wears the pants in the family": Signified who was in charge of the household. Today, everyone in the family wears pants with household leadership either a democracy or a dictatorship, pants or no pants.

"That and a quarter will get you a cup of coffee": A useless comment or a suggestion. But don't trek down to your neighborhood Starbucks with that quarter. If you're lucky though, and hit the right McDonald's, plunk down your quarter and happily leave with a steaming cup of senior coffee.

And "Th, th,that's all folks", a borrowed sign-off phrase from Porky Pig, an icon from the golden age of cartoons.

Ken Gaidziunas is a staff writer for The Anna-Melissa Tribune and the Van Alstyne Leader. He can be reached at kgaidziunas@yahoo.com.