Original artwork, not a still
I used to be with 'it', but then they changed what 'it' was. Now what I'm with isn't 'it' anymore and what's 'it' seems weird and scary. It'll happen to you!
— The Simpsons · 1989
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Grampa's rant is the Simpsons' best joke about growing old: the fear that culture will move on without you and leave you the uncool one. It is funnier because Homer, who spent the scene dismissing his father, is about to be shown up himself. Fans quote it whenever a new slang term, app or band leaves them behind.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for The SimpsonsShow the scene
In "Homerpalooza" (season 7, 1996), Homer, stung at being called uncool, remembers his teenage years in the 1970s. In the flashback, teenage Homer and Barney are singing and dancing to Leo Sayer in the Simpson living room when Homer's father Abe walks in and demands to know what they are doing. Homer tells him he would not understand, because he is just not with it, and Abe answers with this warning. Back in the present, Homer looks in the mirror and sees that it has happened to him, and he takes Bart and Lisa to the Hullabalooza festival to prove he is still cool.
Sources (1)
- Simpsons Wiki: Homerpalooza/Quotes1970s flashback in the Simpson residenceReference checked
Context reviewed
