8 phrases boomers still use that Gen Z secretly finds wholesome

Let’s face it—language changes faster than you can say “hashtag.”

What was once cutting-edge slang in our day (rad, far out, cool beans) is now the stuff of memes and gentle ribbing. I’ve seen the jokes online—“Boomer talk,” they call it—and fair enough, we probably earned that one.

But here’s what I’ve noticed: not all of those old sayings are being mocked. Some of them, in fact, are quietly admired. Gen Z—whether they admit it or not—finds a surprising comfort in certain old-school phrases.

Maybe it’s because those words carry sincerity. They’re not performative or polished; they come from a time when people meant what they said and said what they meant.

So while the world races toward new lingo and shorter attention spans, let’s slow down a moment. Here are eight phrases from the boomer era that younger folks actually find—dare I say—wholesome.

1. “Take care of yourself”

You won’t find this phrase trending on social media, but you’ll find it sitting warmly in the back of people’s minds.

It’s short. It’s gentle. And unlike the hashtagged version of “self-care,” this one isn’t about spa days or scented candles. It’s about genuine human concern.

When someone from our generation says, “Take care of yourself,” it’s not filler—it’s a small act of kindness. A reminder that someone sees you, even in passing.

In today’s fast-paced, attention-starved world, that kind of sincerity feels rare. No wonder Gen Z finds it refreshing.

As Brené Brown once said, “Connection is why we’re here; it’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” I think that’s why this phrase resonates—it’s about connection, not convenience.

When I say it to my grandkids as they dash out the door, they might just grin and roll their eyes. But later, I’ve seen them text it to a friend going through a tough week. That tells me something—it still matters.

2. “Better safe than sorry”

This one’s been around longer than disco, but the wisdom behind it hasn’t aged a bit.

Sure, it sounds overly cautious to a generation raised on “YOLO” and “taking risks,” but you’d be surprised how often Gen Z lives by it.

They’re the ones triple-checking privacy settings, reading product reviews before buying, and fact-checking what they read online.

When boomers say “Better safe than sorry,” it isn’t about fear—it’s about foresight. We’ve learned the hard way that small precautions can save big headaches later.

It’s a phrase rooted in experience, and experience never really goes out of style.

There’s an old quote by Benjamin Franklin that fits perfectly here: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

I can’t tell you how many times that has proved true—from locking the door before heading out to making sure I actually turn off the stove (something I’m still working on).

Gen Z might roll their eyes when they hear it, but they get it. Beneath the humor, there’s respect for the wisdom behind the words.

3. “Don’t spend what you don’t have”

Now here’s a classic that’s practically become financial folklore.

It sounds simple, but it’s profound. Especially in a time when “Buy Now, Pay Later” is just a tap away and influencers promote lifestyles most can’t afford.

I’ve lived through recessions and market crashes. I’ve watched people with six-figure incomes lose everything because they chased appearances instead of stability.

So when I hear someone young talk about saving for the future, it gives me hope. Because deep down, they know this truth too: debt might buy you comfort now, but it steals your freedom later.

Warren Buffett once said, “Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” That line should be plastered in every college dorm room.

I’ve mentioned this before in another post about building financial resilience, but delayed gratification is like a muscle—it gets stronger with use.

And even if this phrase sounds a little old-fashioned, Gen Z understands its essence: freedom over flashiness.

4. “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar”

My grandmother used to say this whenever I’d stomp off in a huff as a teenager. Back then, I thought it was her polite way of calling me stubborn. Turns out, she was right.

The idea is simple: kindness works better than cruelty.

We live in an age where outrage sells. But Gen Z, for all the online snark, are also the ones promoting empathy, advocacy, and mental health.

Beneath their digital savvy, they crave authentic kindness—the sort that softens rather than scorches.

As Dale Carnegie noted decades ago in How to Win Friends and Influence People, “A drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall.”

I once had a boss in my twenties who embodied that principle. Never raised his voice, never embarrassed anyone in public. But when he spoke, people listened. His calm earned him loyalty that fear never could.

It’s a style of leadership and communication that Gen Z appreciates—especially as they push for more compassion in workplaces and relationships alike.

5. “Don’t air your dirty laundry in public”

Now, this one tends to get a good laugh. In the era of TikTok confessions and online drama, it almost sounds quaint.

But here’s the thing: more and more young people are rediscovering the value of privacy.

This old saying isn’t about shame—it’s about boundaries. Not everything needs to be shared. Some moments are sacred, some struggles deserve quiet healing rather than public commentary.

I recently read an article about the growing trend of “digital minimalism,” where Gen Zers are deleting social media or posting less to protect their peace. It’s proof that they’re coming full circle to what our parents tried to teach us decades ago.

As the Stoic philosopher Epictetus once said, “Silence is safer than speech.” There’s power in keeping parts of your life just for yourself.

And while “Don’t air your dirty laundry” might sound prudish to some, it’s really just timeless advice about dignity and discretion.

6. “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”

Raise your hand if you grew up hearing this one on repeat.

It might’ve sounded like nagging at the time, but it’s become a rare gem in today’s culture of “hot takes” and instant opinions.

When my mother used to say it, she wasn’t trying to silence me—she was teaching me emotional restraint. The kind that keeps relationships intact and conversations civil.

Modern psychology backs this up. Experiments in social psychology show that when people communicate kindly—respectfully, without aggression—they report stronger social connections, less conflict, and greater well-being.

Gen Z, to their credit, are catching onto this too. The rise of “wholesome” corners of the internet—spaces where people compliment strangers or share small joys—shows that they crave gentler interactions amid all the noise.

So yes, it may sound like an old-school nursery rule, but its relevance is stronger than ever.

7. “This too shall pass”

Few phrases have carried as much quiet power as this one.

It’s one of those sayings that’s been whispered through heartbreaks, wars, and sleepless nights. I’ve leaned on it more times than I can count.

When my wife passed years ago, a close friend simply put a hand on my shoulder and said those four words. It didn’t erase the pain—but it helped me breathe through it.

“This too shall pass” isn’t about denial—it’s about endurance. It reminds us that time, in all its slow mercy, brings healing.

Winston Churchill once said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” That line carries the same spirit.

I won’t pretend to have it all figured out, but after six decades of life’s ups and downs, I’ve realized something: joy and sorrow are both temporary visitors. Neither stays forever. And that’s strangely comforting.

Gen Z, navigating an uncertain world, finds this phrase grounding. It’s a simple, steady reminder that even their darkest days won’t define them.

8. “Count your blessings”

It’s an old-fashioned expression, sure. But perhaps it’s the most wholesome of them all.

“Count your blessings” isn’t about ignoring problems—it’s about perspective. It’s a nudge to notice what’s right in your life when everything feels wrong.

Psychologists have long confirmed what our grandparents already knew: gratitude changes how we see the world.

In classic experiments, participants who kept a “gratitude journal” — writing weekly or daily about what they were thankful for — showed greater optimism, fewer physical symptoms, and improved sleep and life satisfaction than those who focused on hassles or neutral events.

When I take Lottie, my old Labrador, on our morning walks, I often find myself counting blessings without meaning to—the smell of fresh-cut grass, a wave from a neighbor, a text from one of my grandkids.

Those little moments don’t solve life’s problems, but they soften them.

And that’s something Gen Z is rediscovering too—through mindfulness, journaling, or simply stepping away from their screens for a while. Gratitude, it turns out, is a bridge that connects generations.

Final thoughts

Some might call these phrases outdated, but I see them as heirlooms—simple, sturdy pieces of wisdom passed down through the years.

They remind us that decency, thoughtfulness, and humility never really go out of style.

Maybe that’s why Gen Z secretly finds them wholesome. Because beneath the old wording lies a truth they can feel, even if they express it differently.

So next time you hear a young person laugh when you say “Take care of yourself” or “This too shall pass,” don’t take it personally. They’re not laughing at the message—they’re just surprised that something so old can still feel so right.

What about you? Which phrase from your parents or grandparents still echoes in your life today?