I once heard someone say, “Catch me outside, how about that?” and had no idea what they meant. Initially, I assumed it was an invitation to step outside for a conversation.
Later, I discovered that it’s slang for challenging someone to a fight, popularized by a viral TV moment.
Over time, the phrase has become a quirky part of pop culture, and is often used humorously or sarcastically.
If you’ve ever been confused by it, here’s a quick overview of its meaning, origin, and how it’s commonly used in everyday language today.
Meaning
When someone says, “Catch me outside, how about that?” they are humorously or sarcastically challenging you to settle a dispute or conflict outside, away from any crowd or authority figures.
In pop culture, memes, and casual conversations, the phrase is often used with humor or exaggeration to express:
- A challenge to address something directly or physically.
- A playful or over-the-top response to conflict or disagreement.
Let’s break down the phrase:
- “Catch me outside”: A casual way of saying, “Meet me outside.”
- “How about that”: A defiant or taunting follow-up, implying confidence or daring.
Origin of the Phrase
The phrase “Catch me outside, how about that?” originated from a memorable episode of The Dr. Phil Show that aired on September 15, 2016 (see the video below).
It was spoken by 13-year-old Danielle Bregoli, who became known as the “cash me outside girl.”
During the show, she expressed her frustration with the audience laughing at her by challenging them to a fight outside, using the phrase in her distinctive accent, which made it sound like “cash me ousside, how ’bout dat?”
This moment quickly went viral, leading to widespread internet memes and social media references. The phrase essentially means “let’s go outside and fight,” acting as a provocative challenge to those mocking her.
Following its popularity, Bregoli leveraged her newfound fame into a career as a rapper, adopting the stage name Bhad Bhabie.
The phrase has since become a cultural touchstone, often used humorously in various contexts online.
Context Examples
I hope you now have a clear understanding of the phrase’s meaning and know when, where, and how to use it.
However, if you’re still unsure about its usage in specific contexts, here’s a quick breakdown of situations where you can use the phrase humorously or as an over-the-top response.
Friendly Debate
In a friendly debate, say you’re discussing pizza, and your friend insists pineapple belongs on pizza, you can jokingly respond, “Catch me outside, how about that?” pretending to be ready to defend your anti-pineapple stance.
Sibling Banter
You take the last slice of cake, and your sibling glares at you. You can jokingly say, “Catch me outside, how about that?” knowing full well you’re not serious.
Sports Trash Talk
If your coworker or friend brags about how their team is better than yours, you can smirk and say, “Catch me outside, how about that?” as a playful jab before the game.
Gaming Rivalry
In the context of sports debates, your friend might brag about beating you in a video game, and you can mock-seriously reply, “Catch me outside, how about that?” as if to challenge them to a rematch.
Workplace Humor
If a colleague jokingly says they’re taking credit for your idea, you can laughingly retort, “Catch me outside, how about that?” to play along with their joke.
There are endless situations where this phrase can be used humorously! As you can see, each example highlights the lighthearted, sarcastic tone often associated with the phrase, emphasizing humor over actual confrontation.