SOME of Britain’s best-loved TV catchphrases have One Foot in the Grave themselves — because Gen Z youngsters haven’t heard of them.
Around a quarter do not recognise grumpy Victor Meldrew’s “I don’t believe it” moan from the hit 1990s sitcom, a survey says.
A similar number did not know Del Boy’s “Cushty” or “Lovely Jubbly” in Only Fools and Horses.
A third of Gen Z’ers, born between 1997 and 2012, drew a blank at Ali G’s “Booyakasha” from the early Noughties.
And a fifth said they didn’t recognise Peggy Mitchell’s scream “get outta my pub” from Eastenders.
But some catchphrases are set to stand the test of time, with three in four under-27s able to identify Joey Tribbiani’s “How you doin’?” from US sitcom Friends.
But some have stood the test of time, including Little Britain’s “Computer says no” and Catherine Tate’s “Am I bovvered?”.
Sky TV, which commissioned the poll, says there is growing interest in TV classics through streaming.
And despite many catchphrases dying out, it added: “Catchphrases are the bedrock of some of the greatest telly of all time.
“Whether it’s to bring a smile to the face of a friend or family member, or to show you’re up to date on the latest great show, the art of repeating iconic TV lines is going nowhere, and we want to make sure that’s the case for years to come.”
