28 Slang Words Boomers Used to Say That Millennials Have Never Heard Of

“Off the hook” is a phrase that many people still use today, although only one meaning has really stuck around. When we say someone is off the hook, we’re expressing that they got out of an obligation and are free to do as they please. It’s usually said with a slight twinge of envy. Why can’t we get off the hook from work, too?

However, if you’re of a certain age, you might remember “off the hook,” meaning something a little different. The phrase is used to describe something awesome and cool. Like, “Hey, that party last night was off the hook!” It was basically an early version of “off the chain.” Oh, how times have changed. We can’t keep up.