Bye, Felicia
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The phrase "Bye, Felicia" (actually spelled "Felisha" in the cast listing) comes from a scene from Angela Means' character Felicia in the American comedy film Friday (1995). According to Ice Cube, who starred in the film and co-wrote its script, "Bye, Felicia" is "the phrase 'to get anyone out of your face'," and, as it was used in the Friday scene, is generally intended as a dismissive send-off.[1]
In popular culture[]
In 2009, it entered the lexicon of RuPaul's Drag Race, an American reality competition television series. However, People wrote: "even that wouldn't necessarily account for the phrase extending beyond the cultures that would watch either Friday, Drag Race or both."[1] Furthermore, the magazine said of the phrase, "So when your square friend uses it, take a little bit of pleasure in knowing they're referencing a stoner comedy – or a drag reality show referencing a stoner comedy – even if they have no idea."[1]
In 2014, VH1 began airing a television show called Bye Felicia, and American R&B-pop singer Jordin Sparks released a mixtape titled #ByeFelicia.[1][2] According to Google Trends, the phrase reached its highest usage in mid-2015.[1]
In the movie Straight Outta Compton (2015), Ice Cube (played by his son, O'Shea Jackson Jr.) said, "Bye, Felicia!", when throwing a girl named Felicia out of his hotel room. Naming the girl Felicia was not an intentional reference to Friday, but when Jackson ad-libbed the line as a "coincidental joke", the filmmakers decided to keep it in the film.[3]
In the 2020 movie Holidate, Jackson (Luke Bracey) uses the phrase to say good bye to Felicity, Sloane's (Emma Roberts) ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend.[citation needed]
On December 19, 2018, former First Lady, Michelle Obama, used the phrase on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon when describing leaving the White House.[4]
On December 14, 2017, one of ABC TV's Good Morning America hosts, Robin Roberts, used the phrase to conclude a segment about Omarosa Manigault Newman's departure from the Trump administration staff.[5]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Mackie, Drew (April 26, 2015). "Friday Hit Theaters 20 Years Ago – And Gave Us 'Bye, Felicia'". People. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
- ^ Walker, John (November 25, 2014). "Jordin Sparks Has Two Words for Jason DeRulo On New Mixtape: 'Bye Felicia'". MTV. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
- ^ "The Inside Story of How the Ultimate 'Bye, Felicia' Got In Straight Outta Compton". Fast Company.
- ^ "What Was Michelle Obama Thinking After Trump's Inauguration? 'Bye, Felicia!'". Washington Post. December 19, 2018.
- ^ "'GMA' host Robin Roberts on Omarosa's White House exit: 'Bye, Felicia'". USA Today. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
Further reading[]
- Augustin, Camille (April 24, 2015). "Hi, Felicia: Catching Up With 'Friday' Actress, Angela Means, 20 Years Later". Vibe.
- Begley, Sarah (April 16, 2015). "Watch Ice Cube Tell Conan Why Everybody's Saying 'Bye Felicia'". Time.
- Harris, Aisha; Hubbard, Daniel (April 24, 2015). "The Eternal Appeal of 'Bye, Felicia,' 20 Years Later". Slate.
- "Ice Cube is So Proud of 'Bye, Felicia'". USA Today. April 16, 2015.
- Williams, Brennan (April 24, 2015). "'Bye Felicia' Actress, Angela Means Kaaya, Talks 20-Year Anniversary of 'Friday'". The Huffington Post.
- 1995 neologisms
- Comedy catchphrases
- Friday (franchise)
- Ice Cube
- Quotations from film