Beginning in 2004, we presented on this website our
annual list of "momisms", those famous sayings all of our moms said to
us when we were growing up, or are now unexpectedly repeating if we are
now moms ourselves. Included are submissions from our church members.
These have been so well received we decided in 2007 to give it a
permanent year-round home. New momisms have
been added over the years, and the 2011 additions lead off the
list.
Kids, see how many of these you've heard from your mom
lately.
"You have enough dirt behind those ears to grow
potatoes!"
"Close that door! Were you born in a barn?"
"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything
at all."
"What's meant to be, is meant to be." (Mom only used
this when something bad happened or when you experienced a
disappointment.)
"I brought you into this world and I can TAKE
YOU OUT!!" (actually attributed to comedian Bill Cosby but adopted by moms ever since)
"Honestly, son, that cardigan looks great on
you—woo-hoo, the girls had better watch out with you around!"
"Who am I talking to, a wall?" (from Pastor Okubo, who
said his mom said that when the kids weren't paying attention to her)
"I still do!" (from Kay Okubo, in response to his son)
"Eat your spinach, you'll grow strong like Popeye!"
(from Sharon Needham);
"Yeah, sure, Mom!"(the kids' response)
"I must be a queen because my daughter thinks she's a
princess!" (from Rich Rodriguez, who saw this on an SUV bumper
sticker)
"If you say bad words, you're going to grow hair on
your tongue."
"Yes, I AM the boss!"
"Because I'm your mom, that's why!"
"If I've told you once, I've told you a
thousand/million/trillion (take your pick) times..."
"Cheer up, the worst is yet to come." (Usually said in
advance of being grounded.)
"Don't cross your eyes or they'll freeze that way."
"If you swallow a watermelon seed, a watermelon will
grow in your stomach."
"Everybody else may be doing it, but you're not going
to. If Nancy's mom let her jump off the Empire State Building, would
you want me to let you do it too?"
"You have an answer for everything, don't you? "
"Don't ask me WHY. The answer is NO. "
"You don't have to like me, missy, I'm your mother."
"Shut your mouth and eat."
"Do you think money grows on trees?"
"As long as you live under my roof, you'll do as I
say."
"Don't sit too close to the television, it'll ruin
your eyes."
"Never try on anyone else's glasses or you'll go
blind."
"Horses sweat, men perspire, ladies glow."
"Always put on clean underwear in the morning, in case
you're in an accident."
And if you're a mom yourself and find yourself saying
any of the above...
And we all know, deep down inside, she really bugs us
because she really loves us.
