Every kid heard the same few phrases growing up, and now many of us catch ourselves saying them too. This One Gotta Go card brings back four classics: we have food at home, close the door because I am not cooling the neighborhood, you will understand when you are older, and ask your mother or father.
Three sayings stay in the family vocabulary, and one is retired forever. Think about the phrase you heard most, the one that drove you crazy and the one you have already said to your own kids. Then make your pick and share your best impression of your parents saying it.
The 4 choices on this card
A. "We have food at home"
We have food at home was the answer to every drive-thru request, and it turned into a famous meme. It is funny now. It was heartbreaking then, and most people would happily retire it from their memories, which makes it a common cut.
Keep it if: You have said it to your own kids and now understand exactly why your parents said it to you.
B. "Close the door, I'm not cooling the neighborhood"
Close the door, I am not cooling the whole neighborhood was the anthem of every summer. It is a classic. It is also the most specific to one situation, which makes it easier to cut than the all-purpose phrases on this card.
Keep it if: You still hear it every time you leave a door open, and you have started saying it yourself.
C. "You'll understand when you're older"
You will understand when you are older was the answer to so many questions, and it was frustrating to hear. Many adults admit their parents were right. Still, it ended a lot of conversations, which makes it a fair cut.
Keep it if: You grew up and finally understood, and now you cannot believe how right your parents were.
D. "Ask your mother/father"
Ask your mother or father sent kids bouncing between parents in search of a yes. It was a clever parenting move. It also caused a lot of confusion, which makes it a candidate to cut for anyone who remembers the runaround.
Keep it if: You remember running between rooms trying to get a yes and laugh about it now.
Our take
We would cut ask your mother or father. It was clever, but the other three are the phrases people still quote and laugh about, especially we have food at home. The most fun debate usually comes down to we have food at home against close the door, since both are universal childhood moments. Have everyone do their best parent voice for each phrase and vote for the most accurate impression.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which parent phrase do you catch yourself saying now?
- What phrase did your parents say that nobody else's did?
- Were your parents right about you understanding when you are older?
- What parent phrase would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Things Your Parents Said: quick answers
Where did the we have food at home meme come from?
We have food at home became a popular meme because so many people heard it as kids when asking for fast food. It spread online as a joke about home cooked versions that never matched the restaurant. It is now one of the best known parent phrases online.
What are common things parents say?
Common parent phrases include because I said so, money does not grow on trees, we have food at home, close the door, ask your mother and you will understand when you are older. Many people find themselves repeating them once they become parents.
