50s Quotes: Famous Lines and Sayings From the 1950s

50s quotes fall into two groups: lines people actually said in the 1950s, in speeches, courtrooms and films, and the slang the decade is remembered for, like “daddy-o” and “see you later, alligator.” Both are here, with the date and source for every quote so you can use them in a history project, a themed party or a caption without guessing.

Famous 1950s quotes from history

These are the lines that turn up in history classes. Each one is tied to a specific date.

“I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail.” — William Faulkner, Nobel Prize acceptance speech, December 10, 1950.

“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower, “The Chance for Peace” speech, April 16, 1953.

“We will not walk in fear, one of another.” — Edward R. Murrow, See It Now, March 9, 1954, in his broadcast on Senator Joseph McCarthy.

“Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?” — Joseph N. Welch to Senator McCarthy, Army–McCarthy hearings, June 9, 1954. Historians often treat this as the moment McCarthy’s influence began to collapse.

“Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.” — Chief Justice Earl Warren, Brown v. Board of Education, May 17, 1954.

“There comes a time when people get tired of being trampled over by the iron feet of oppression.” — Martin Luther King Jr., Holt Street Baptist Church, Montgomery, December 5, 1955, at the start of the bus boycott.

“I like Ike.” — Eisenhower’s campaign slogan in 1952. It’s one of the most recognised political slogans of the century.

Famous movie quotes from the 1950s

Several of the best-known lines in film history come from this decade. The year is the film’s US release.

“All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.” — Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), Sunset Boulevard, 1950.

“Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night.” — Margo Channing (Bette Davis), All About Eve, 1950.

“Hey Johnny, what are you rebelling against?” “Whaddaya got?” — Mildred (Peggy Maley) and Johnny Strabler (Marlon Brando), The Wild One, 1953.

“I coulda been a contender.” — Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando), On the Waterfront, 1954.

“You’re tearing me apart!” — Jim Stark (James Dean), Rebel Without a Cause, 1955.

“Well, nobody’s perfect.” — Osgood Fielding III (Joe E. Brown), Some Like It Hot, 1959. It’s the film’s last line.

1950s TV catchphrases

Television arrived in most American homes during the 1950s, and its catchphrases spread fast.

“To the moon, Alice!” — Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason), The Honeymooners, 1955–56. It’s Ralph’s empty threat to his wife, and it never happens.

“Lucy, you got some ‘splainin’ to do!” — widely quoted from I Love Lucy (1951–57), but it’s a misquote. Ricky says versions of “‘splain” many times, but not that exact sentence. If you’re using it in a project, call it a catchphrase rather than a direct quote.

1950s sayings and slang

If you’re looking for 50s quotes for a sock hop, a diner-themed party or a costume caption, this is usually what you want. These words and phrases were common in 1950s youth culture and still sound like the era.

Greetings and goodbyes

“See you later, alligator.” “After a while, crocodile.” — popularised by Bill Haley & His Comets’ 1956 hit “See You Later, Alligator.”

“Daddy-o” — a casual way to address a man, like “buddy.”

“What’s buzzin’, cousin?” — a rhyming way to ask what’s going on.

Saying something is good (or not)

“Cool” and “cool cat” — calm, stylish, in the know.

“The most” — the top, the best there is.

“Square” — someone out of touch or too conventional. “Don’t be a square” was the standard teenage insult.

“Made in the shade” — everything’s sorted and easy.

Other 50s phrases

“Going steady” — dating one person exclusively, often marked by giving a class ring or letter jacket.

“Cruisin’ for a bruisin'” — asking for trouble.

“Flip your lid” — to lose your temper or get very excited.

“Hi-fi” — a high-fidelity record player, and the pride of a 1950s living room.

How to use 50s quotes

For a history project: use the dated quotes in the first section and cite the speaker, event and date. The Welch and Murrow quotes pair well for a project on McCarthyism. The Warren and King quotes pair well for early civil rights.

For a party or dress-up caption: the slang and movie lines work better. “See you later, alligator” and “Don’t be a square” are instantly recognisable.

For a yearbook or senior quote: Faulkner’s “man will not merely endure: he will prevail” is short enough and ages well. For more on choosing one, see how to pick a senior quote.

If you’re quoting a film line in an essay, the citation format is different from a book. See how to quote a movie. For civil rights era quotes more broadly, our quotes about civil disobedience are sourced the same way.

FAQ

What are some famous sayings from the 1950s?

“See you later, alligator,” “daddy-o,” “cool cat,” “don’t be a square,” “going steady” and “cruisin’ for a bruisin'” are among the best known.

What is the most famous quote from the 1950s?

There’s no single answer, but Joseph Welch’s “Have you no sense of decency, sir?” (1954) and Marlon Brando’s “I coulda been a contender” (1954) are two of the most quoted.

Did Ricky Ricardo say “Lucy, you got some ‘splainin’ to do”?

Not in those exact words. It’s a popular misquote based on how often he told Lucy she had to “‘splain” herself.

What did people say instead of “cool” in the 50s?

“Cool” itself was already in use, along with “the most,” “real gone” and “crazy,” all meaning something was excellent.