In the past few months, the term “bye Felicia” found its way into the college vernacular. I personally overuse (and potentially misuse) this phrase; however, it recently came to my attention that many people have no idea what the expression means. That said, I polled my fellow Tulanians and New Orleanians to gauge the number of people who understood the meaning of “bye Felicia.”
My polling process consisted of walking around Boot/Palms/Fumps and asking people, “do you know who Felicia is?” Those who understood the joke laughed, but most shot me bewildered looks and walked away. On the other hand, some wanted more information and asked, “No I don’t know her; who is she?” In repsonse, I briefly explained the term, but when my cab driver failed to grasp the meaning of “bye Felicia” after I babbled during fifteen minute cab ride, I figured a verbal explanation fails to fully define the expression. To remedy the two conclusions of my research:
- Most people do not grasp the concept of “bye Felicia”
- Abstractly discussing the definition does not clarify the term for people — I decided to create a brief “bye Felicia” handbook.
Outlined below, this guide includes pictures and blurbs to help the masses understand this ~trendy~ term. Hopefully my guidebook helps you to feel more confident implementing “bye Felicia” into your everyday conversations —enjoy!
The Brief “Bye Felicia” Guidebook
Bye Felicia | bī feh-LEE-SEE-uh | (verb):
To quote the always reliable Urban Dictionary, “bye Felicia” is “an expression used to dismiss someone [or something]. This person [or thing] is usually irrelevant and annoying.”
Phrase: Ugh, that girl just cut the entire Boot pizza line—BYE FELICIA!
**Basically, think of Felicia as the “Jane Doe of basic collegiettes everywhere” — ™Delaney Hand (my friend from home).
Why Felicia?
Back in 1995, Ice Cube and Chris Tucker starred in a dud of a film titled Friday. In one scene a woman named Felicia bothers the pair and Ice Cube asks her to leave.
Watch clip here: (viewer discretion advised –colorful language used — sorry there was no clean version available)
In Context
1. When your roommate wears your clothes without asking you.
2. When your teacher assigns you a 10 page paper due the day after break.
3.When the Jimmy John’s delivery person doesn’t arrive in under 10 minutes.
4.When one person sits alone “reserving” a booth during a crowded Boot happy hour.
5. When someone cuts in front of you at Crepes (aka the most unforgivable sin).
End note: I am terribly sorry if your name is Felicia and you just read this. You are probably a fabulous person.