Are you like me, who loves classic things and is sometimes teased by your friends and family for being old-fashioned? Then I have the perfect phrase for you: oldie but a goodie. You’ve likely heard the phrase before since it’s so common in the English language. But what does the phrase really mean, and who came up with it? I’ll explain all the details right here!
Meaning of the Phrase Oldie But Goodie
“An oldie but a goodie” is a fun term we casually use to describe something considered old but still relevant today and enjoyable, aka old but good.
It’s a way of saying that even though something may be outdated, it still has value or entertainment. You can use the phrase to describe anything from music to movies, fashion, or even a person.
For example, I absolutely love the movie The Princess Bride, starring Cary Elwes and Robin Wright. I know it was made in the eighties, but I still watch it at least once a year, and it never gets old for me. Now my kids love it, too. So, that’s a perfect example of something that’s an oldie but a goodie.
How Do You Spell Oldie But Goodie?
So, I’ve seen it spelled in many different ways, which leads to the question of whether it’s oldie but goodie or oldy but goody. You’ve probably seen the word “goody” thrown around as a slang term to express “yay” or some other kind of excitement.
But that’s not the spelling we’re dealing with here. “Oldie but goodie” needs to be spelled with an IE at the end of both old and good.
The plural form is “oldies but goodies.” When used as an adjective before a noun, the phrase is hyphenated, as in “oldie-but-goodie.”
Who Coined the Phrase Oldie But Goodie?
The phrase “oldie but a goodie” was first coined by DJ Art Laboe back in the fifties. He’s credited with coming up with the phrase “oldies but goodies” and the meaning behind it through his work with music and how some old music can still be relevant and enjoyed today.
Oldie But Goodie Synonyms
If “oldies but goodies” just doesn’t fit the context of what you’re talking about or writing, try some of these other terms that pretty much mean the same thing.
- Timeless
- Vintage
- Classics
- Evergreen
- Masterpieces
Oldie But Goodie Examples in a Sentence
Now, let’s see some examples of “oldie but a goodie” in action to give you a deeper context around the idea of using the phrase.
- I can’t believe you still listen to that oldie-but-goodie album from the 80s!
- I’m not a fan of Metallica’s new stuff, but their old songs are oldies but goodies.
- My great grandma’s recipe for apple pie is an oldie but a goodie, and we use it every year at Thanksgiving.
- Watching “The Princess Bride” for the hundredth time is always an oldie-but-goodie experience for me.
Oldies Are Goodies
Don’t overlook the value in old art, music, and entertainment. There are oldies but goodies that get forgotten all the time, and it’s up to us to keep them alive. So, the next time you think about dismissing an old movie or book, give it a shot and remind yourself that it could be an oldie but a goodie.