10 “Sex and the City” quotes that we now use in everyday conversation
It’s been 12 years since the last episode of Sex and the City premiered on HBO. (Crazy, right?) SATC was a game-changer and not just when it came to evocative television programming and strong female characters. It also had a big impact on culture and language, which is particularly fitting since Carrie was a writer. Whether you realize it or not, we have Carrie and the girls to thank for things we say pretty much everyday. Here are 10 we definitely say on a regular basis:
“I couldn’t help but wonder…”
Fact: Carrie did a lot of wondering. Especially in her column, which was peppered with this phrase more often than any real-life editor would let her get away with. Vulture even came up with a comprehensive list of all the things Carrie wondered, and the tally was more than 40 over the course of six seasons. Girl was curious. So are we, apparently.
“He’s just not that into you.”
It’s been a bestselling self-help book and a hit movie, but guess what, guys: Carrie’s boyfriend Jack Berger (the jealous writer who famously broke up with her via a post-it note…ugh), said it first. When Miranda was complaining about her current love interest’s many mixed messages, Berger replied. “Yeah, I’d have to say that’s all code for: He’s just not that into you.” Thus, a painful catchphrase was born.
“Abso-fucking-lutely.”
Waaay back in Season 1, Carrie asks Big if he’s ever been in love. His response? “Abso-fucking-lutely.” Never has an F-bomb been uttered with such panache.
“Frenemy.”
When Charlotte runs into her old sorority sisters and talks about her sex life, they’re horrified. In her ever-present narration, Carrie tells us, “Charlotte realized how much they’ve all changed since college. Her friends had become frenemies.” Technically, the word has been around since before Carrie slipped on her first pair of Manolos, but no one was using it until Charlotte’s bitchy friends came to town.
“Fuck buddy”
Have fuck buddies been in existence since the dawn of sexual liberation? Probably. But we weren’t calling them that until Carrie tried (unsuccessfully) to turn hers into a real relationship. Heads up: don’t do this.
“Hello, lover.”
Carrie said this about a pair of shoes (obvs) but it’s an amazingly versatile phrase. We’re now talking to our cupcakes, cocktails, books, pets and yes, our actual lovers, the exact same way.
“I’d like a cheeseburger, please, large fries and a Cosmopolitan?”
The Cosmopolitan was the cocktail of choice for Carrie and her squad. The drink became so immensely popular during SATC’s run that it became a joke at the end of the series’ first movie. “Why did we ever stop drinking these?” Charlotte asks. To which Carrie replies, “Because everyone else started.”
“Swear on Chanel.”
When Carrie makes Aidan swear on a Chanel jacket not to spill the beans about Miranda’s pregnancy, we’re not sure he understands quite how serious the situation is. We get it, Carrie. We totally get it. We swear on Chanel.
“Don’t forget to fall in love with yourself first.”
Sex and the City was a show about relationships: relationships with friends, family, lovers and even with New York City itself. But one of its most powerful and lastings messages was that we should be true to ourselves. Because at the end of the day, your relationship with yourself is the longest one you’ll ever have.
“Maybe our girlfriends are our soul mates, and guys are just people to have fun with.”
Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha were giving me squad goals way before Taylor Swift and her besties even heard of Instagram. (Just saying.) Raise your hand if you’ve ever called one of your besties a soul mate? If not, maybe it’s time you did.
