Get a life
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Get a life" is an originally American idiom and catch phrase usually intended as a taunt, to indicate that the person being so addressed is devoting an inordinate amount of time to trivial or hopeless matters. The phrase has also appeared as a generally more emphatic variant of the taunt "get a job"[1] and implies the addressee needs to go out and make their way in the world, without being supported by outside sources such as parents or benefactors. It may also be directed at someone who is perceived as boring or single-minded; suggesting they acquire some other, more practical interests or hobbies and get dates, find a job, or move to their own house.
It was also applied to so-called workaholics and others who are perceived as dedicated to their work (out of "labor of love" as opposed to money or loyalty to the company) but not taking the time to relax or enjoy life.
Sometimes the phrase is used against people who are viewed as officious or intermeddling in someone else's affairs. It is another way of saying "Get your own life", or "Stay out of my business."
[edit] Documented early usage
- 1983: The first Oxford English Dictionary citation is from a January 1983 Washington Post article: "Gross me out, I mean, Valley Girls was, like, ohmigod, it was last year, fer sure! I mean, get a life! Say what?".[2]
- 1986: Appears in Baby Anger page 48 as "Get a life, people of New Jersey![3]
- 1987: The term was used by William Shatner's appearance in a 1987 episode of Saturday Night Live, in which he tells a group of trekkies to "get a life." Although this was meant in jest, some diehard Trekkies did take offense to Shatner's sketch.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ Clemmer, Jim (1999). Growing the Distance: Timeless Principles for Personal, Career, and Family Success. ISBN 0968467504.
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary
- ^ Sean O'Casey, Peter Hedges Baby Anger, p. 48 , 1986. "Get a life, people of New Jersey!"
- ^ Transcript of William Shatner's SNL appearance
