As a baby boomer who grew up in the analog era, there are certain phrases like “you sound like a broken record” and “hang up the phone, that I still use in everyday conversation, even though they mark me as an oblivious old-timer.
My favorite antiquated phrase is “don’t touch that dial.” Its authoritative tone is perfect for addressing disrespectful youngsters. I have your “Okay, Boomer” right here.
Its possessive tone resonates with me: it is my TV dial, and I’ll decide what we watch.
Before remote controls and streaming menus, changing the channel meant leaving the sofa to turn a dial on the black-and-white TV or radio. Few things were more satisfying than the click of the dial as you found your favorite program.
I wish TVs with physical dials were still an option, even if my creaky bones make getting up to change the channel count as exercise.
You can keep your voice-activated remotes and touch-screen laptops; I fondly remember how happy I was when I adjusted the rabbit ears on the TV and clicked the dial to watch my favorite program, Batman.
