Home and Away fans are urging the long-running soap to bring back a beloved piece of Aussie slang that became a fan favourite in the 90s.
The call comes after a viewer shared a compilation of throwback scenes featuring some of the show’s most iconic characters using the phrase ‘rack off.’
Meaning ‘go away,’ the expression was widely used in Australia from the 1970s. The nostalgic Instagram post includes clips of some of the show’s biggest stars, including Kate Ritchie, who portrayed Sally Fletcher from 1988 to 2008.
In one memorable scene from an early episode, Sally tells someone, “You’ve hurt me and you’ve hurt everyone else, so just rack off.”
The compilation also features clips with Dannii Minogue, Craig McLaughlin, Dieter Brummer, and current star Ray Meagher
Home and Away fans are clamouring for the long-running soap to bring back a classic bit of Aussie slang – ‘rack off’ – which was said on the show in the 90s. Pictured: Kate Ritchie
US based movie star Isla Fisher who played Shannon in the series between 1994 and 1997 can also been seen in the clip as well as Melissa George.
Fans were quick to post their enthusiasm for the saying which has fallen out of common usage.
‘Do they still say rack off?, one fan posted on the Instagram video.
‘I forgot that was ever a saying,’ another admitted.
Meanwhile, another fan seemed inspired by the video: ‘Love this I might start saying this again!’
‘I’m gonna start using this from now on and anyone who says I can’t, can just rack off,’ joked one viewer.
‘Rack off’, lol so Aussie,’ said another.
However one fan appeared to doubt whether the slang term was ever actually used, writing: ‘And no one ever said rack off.’
Some of the shows biggest stars can be seen in a hilarious Instagram post including Dannii Minogue and Craig McLaughlin (pictured) using the term
Isla Fisher in a scene from Home and Away (far right)
The term became popularised in Australia in 1975 after singer Maureen Elkner had a hit with the song Rak off, Normie!.
The novelty tune reached number six on a the national singles chart in Australia.
It was a ‘sequel’ to an earlier hit The Newcastle Song by Bob Hudson, which featured a character called Normie.
The lyrics of the song recount the exploits of Normie and his mates on a Saturday night as they try and ‘pickup’ women while cruising the streets of Newcastle in an FJ Holden.
According to the online Cambridge Dictionary, the definition of ‘rack off’ is: ‘To leave or go away, used especially as a rude way of telling someone to go away.’
