1. Dyn-o-mite! (Good Times)
There was just something electric about Jimmie Walker’s delivery of “Dyn-o-mite” that made everyone lean in. As JJ Evans on Good Times, he shouted it with so much joy it felt contagious. The phrase became bigger than the character, showing up on T-shirts, talk shows, and playgrounds. Walker once said on NPR that it “took over” his life but also turned him into a household name. It was bold, energetic, and full of life, much like the era it came from. People still say it today when something great happens, even if they’ve never watched the show. That’s real staying power.
2. Kiss my grits! (Alice)
Sometimes, sass just sounds better with a Southern accent. Flo from Alice gave us the classic clapback, “Kiss my grits,” and made it stick in everyday conversation. She tossed it at Mel, her grumpy boss, whenever he pushed too far, and it never missed. Actress Polly Holliday’s delivery turned it from insult to art form. According to TV Guide, it was one of the top catchphrases of all time. People repeated it not just for the words but for the attitude it carried. It wasn’t rude, just firm. A little spicy, a little sweet. Kind of like Flo herself.
3. Up your nose with a rubber hose! (Welcome Back, Kotter)
If you grew up in the ’70s, chances are this weird insult came out of your mouth at least once. Vinnie Barbarino, played by a young John Travolta, made “Up your nose with a rubber hose” feel like the ultimate schoolyard comeback. It sounded mean but wasn’t actually harsh, which made it perfect for teasing without consequences. The show Welcome Back, Kotter was full of playful banter, but this line took the crown. The Hollywood Reporter mentioned how Travolta helped elevate it to icon status. Silly as it was, it became something people quoted just because it felt fun.
4. I’m comin’ to join you, Elizabeth! (Sanford and Son)
Nobody pulled off a fake heart attack quite like Fred Sanford. When things got tense or dramatic, he’d grab his chest, look to the heavens, and wail, “I’m comin’ to join you, Elizabeth!” It was over-the-top in the best way. This dramatic cry to his late wife gave Sanford and Son one of its most memorable running jokes. Redd Foxx made it hilarious without ever losing the hint of love behind it. According to The New York Times, his delivery blended comedy and heart perfectly. Even now, the line pops up when someone wants to make a big exit.
5. Hey hey hey! (Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids)
Before any lesson started, Fat Albert greeted kids everywhere with a big, friendly “Hey hey hey!” It wasn’t a punchline. It was a call-in, a warm way of saying you were welcome. Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids brought humor and heart to Saturday mornings, but that catchphrase made the biggest splash. It was simple and direct, but you couldn’t hear it without smiling. Time Magazine noted how the show combined education with fun, and this greeting set the tone. Kids shouted it on the playground, in the lunchroom, or just to say hello. It felt like a hug.
6. Sit on it! (Happy Days)
“Sit on it” was the Happy Days version of a mic drop. It was sharp enough to make a point but clean enough for prime time. The whole gang used it, but when the Fonz said it, the line landed differently. Cool, confident, and just enough attitude. Garry Marshall, the show’s creator, told Smithsonian Magazine the phrase was their way of staying edgy while keeping things family friendly. That’s exactly what made it stick. It became a way to end an argument without going too far. It’s the kind of line you toss with a smirk and a wink.
7. Book ’em, Danno. (Hawaii Five-O)
Some lines just sound like authority. When Detective Steve McGarrett finished solving a case on Hawaii Five-O, he didn’t need drama. He just turned to his partner and said, “Book ’em, Danno.” That calm, final line became part of pop culture overnight. It was clipped, cool, and felt like the end of a job well done. TV Insider listed it among the most iconic phrases in TV history. People used it jokingly when wrapping up anything, from chores to errands. It gave everyday moments a detective vibe. Short and strong, it made justice sound a little bit cooler.
8. What you see is what you get! (Flip Wilson Show)
Geraldine Jones, played by Flip Wilson, had one rule for anyone trying to read her wrong: “What you see is what you get.” The character strutted through The Flip Wilson Show with confidence, and that line summed it all up. It was honest, bold, and unforgettable. According to Jet Magazine, Wilson said Geraldine was “strong and sassy,” and this line captured her perfectly. The phrase leapt off the screen into songs, ads, and everyday talk. It still feels relevant today, especially in a world that values realness. Geraldine didn’t fake it and neither did the people quoting her.
9. Nanu Nanu. (Mork & Mindy)
When Mork arrived from Ork, he didn’t just bring a new character to TV. He brought his own greeting. “Nanu Nanu” sounded like gibberish, but thanks to Robin Williams, it became comedy gold. As Mork, he made every nonsensical thing feel lovable. The show Mork & Mindy was quirky, but that catchphrase made it unforgettable. Rolling Stone once said Williams “made nonsense into art,” and this line proved it. People started using “Nanu Nanu” the same way they’d say hello, usually with a grin. It didn’t matter what it meant. It just felt fun, and sometimes that’s enough.
10. Ayyyy! (Happy Days)
With a thumbs-up and a half-smile, the Fonz turned “Ayyyy” into a full sentence. It could mean hello, cool, approval, or just that everything was fine. It didn’t need explanation. Happy Days leaned into that sound and made it iconic. Henry Winkler told The Guardian he came up with it because he forgot his lines and just said “Ayyyy” instead. That moment became his signature. Kids and adults copied it everywhere. In a world of catchphrases, this one didn’t even need words. It was attitude, confidence, and charm packed into a single sound. And it never got old.
11. You big dummy! (Sanford and Son)
Some lines sting in a way that still makes you laugh. Fred Sanford’s favorite jab at his son Lamont was, “You big dummy!” It was rough around the edges but always landed with love. Redd Foxx had a way of delivering it that made you chuckle even as Lamont rolled his eyes. The Washington Post called it “the perfect sitcom insult,” and it’s easy to see why. It was a little harsh, a little funny, and entirely unforgettable. That’s the magic of these phrases. They stuck with us not just because of what they said but how they made us feel.
From sitcoms to Saturday morning cartoons, these lines helped define the way the ’70s sounded.
This story 11 Catchphrases Every ’70s Kid Still Remembers was first published on Daily FETCH
