Is there a saying or catchphrase your family uses all the time that an outsider would never understand?

B Natural answer

Yes, definitely. My family has a funny countdown before leaving the house. My aunt calls out three-minute warning when someone is still changing clothes or looking for keys. If we are meeting for dinner, my dad says soup means company, which means the meal is ready and everyone should sit down. Another one is we're on family time, which means nobody is allowed to complain if we are a little late, because we are probably helping someone or waiting for one more person. To us, these phrases feel normal, but a visitor would just look confused and ask what soup has to do with anything.

Key phrases in this answer

• three-minute warning — a short warning that something will happen soon“My aunt gives a three-minute warning before we leave.”
• soup means company — a family code phrase that means food is ready“When my dad says soup means company, dinner is ready.”
• we're on family time — we are following our own relaxed schedule“We are on family time, so nobody minds being a little late.”
• same old joke — a joke or story that has been repeated many times“My dad calls it the same old joke when we tell the story again.”
• time to move, not talk — a reminder to stop chatting and get going“When we are late, my mom says it is time to move, not talk.”
• close the circus — stop the chaos or arguing“My grandmother says close the circus when everyone is yelling.”