What it means
Said when someone’s ideas, style, or habits feel old-fashioned and out of step with how things are done now. It’s the kind of mild roast you use for your uncle who refuses contactless, or a workplace still using fax. Not usually vicious, more a sigh and a gentle nudge to catch up.
Usage examples
"He’s still printing emails and filing them in a ring binder, then blaming dodgy Wi‑Fi. Come on, mate, you’re just behind the times."
"My nan's a bit behind the times, she still writes cheques."
"The shop felt behind the times, no card machine in sight."
"You’re still asking people to RSVP by post in 2026. That’s not vintage, that’s behind the times."
"Their office banned remote work and still wants everything signed in triplicate. Proper behind the times, that lot."
Where it comes from
This one’s been around since the 1800s. It comes straight from the image built into it: the times move forward, and if someone’s behind them, they haven’t kept up. It started in standard English, not niche slang, then settled into everyday speech as an easy way to call something dated without going fully savage.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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