In recent years, the phrase ‘go back to the kitchen’ has been used to demean and belittle women by suggesting that their only place is in the kitchen.
This phrase is rooted in gender stereotypes and oppressive ideologies about the roles of women in society.
While the phrase is often used to silence women, it’s important to know the best comebacks to such an insult.
Whether you’re looking for a witty response or a more serious one, this article will provide you with the 20 best comeback responses to respond to ‘go back to the kitchen’.
From clever one-liners to thought-provoking retorts, these responses will empower you to stand up for yourself and your beliefs.
So, if you’re ready to reclaim your power, let’s dive in and explore the best comebacks to ‘go back to the kitchen’.
20 Best Comebacks to ‘Go Back To The Kitchen’
Most homes are filled with playful banter, jokes, and lighthearted debates. But sometimes, these conversations can take an uncomfortable turn.
Nothing is more cringe-worthy than being told to ‘go back to the kitchen’. Whether it’s coming from a friend, family member, or even a stranger, it’s a statement that carries sexist undertones and should not be tolerated.
Fortunately, there are plenty of clever and effective comebacks that can be used to shut down this type of behavior. Here are 20 of the best comebacks to respond to ‘go back to the kitchen’.
- If I wanted to hear an outdated opinion, I’d ask my grandpa.
- No, but I can send you back to the stone age.
- No, I think I’ll stay right here.
- No, but I can send you back to the dark ages.
- I can’t, I already have a reservation in the boardroom.
- You know, if you think about it, the kitchen is a pretty awesome place
- I’ll go back to the kitchen when you go back to the 1950s.
- No, I’m not the one who needs to get out of the dark ages.
- No, I think I’ll stay right here and prove you wrong.
- I’m sorry, did you really mean that?
- I’m sorry, I don’t think I speak ‘caveman’.
- I’d rather be in the living room, watching TV.
- No, but I can send you back to the nursery where you belong.
- No, but I can send you to etiquette class.
- No, but I can send you back to the Jurassic period.
- Gladly, as soon as you do the dishes.
- No, but I can send you back to the 11th century.
- Were you trying to make a joke?
- I’m happy to stay in the kitchen if you’d like to join me.
- No, but I can send you to a history class.
If I wanted to hear an outdated opinion, I’d ask my grandpa
This phrase is a humorous way to respond to the tired and outdated opinion of telling someone to ‘go back to the kitchen.’
It implies that the person needs to seek out a more modern opinion, and suggests that the best place to find one is not from the person in question, but from the speaker’s grandpa, who is far removed from the current state of social norms.
This is a lighthearted way to push back against outdated gender roles, and remind people that the antiquated saying of ‘go back to the kitchen’ is no longer relevant or socially acceptable.
No, but I can send you back to the stone age
This phrase serves to remind the listener that such a statement is no longer acceptable in today’s society and that individuals should be judged for their merits, not their gender.
It implies that to think that women should only be in the kitchen is an outdated notion and that gender equality is a value to be cherished.
No, I think I’ll stay right here
This clever comeback is a way of asserting one’s self while also being humorous. It implies that the speaker is confident in their place and not willing to be told what to do.
It also implies that the speaker is not interested in the speaker’s opinion, as they are choosing to stay put.
This phrase can be used to assert one’s opinion in a way that is lighthearted and humorous and can be used to let the other person know that their opinion does not matter.
It is a funny and effective way to politely end a conversation and show that you are not one to be pushed around.
No, but I can send you back to the dark ages
‘No, but I can send you back to the dark ages’ is a clever comeback to ‘go back to the kitchen’ as it implies that the person making the suggestion has outdated and sexist views, while also suggesting they will be taken back to a time where such views were more commonplace.
This response not only shuts down the comment but also reinforces the idea that gender roles should not be enforced. It is a witty and effective way of conveying a strong message of gender equality.
I can’t, I already have a reservation in the boardroom
This sarcastic comeback is a jab at traditionally gender-based roles within the workplace.
The phrase implies that the person being addressed should stay out of the boardroom and instead occupy themselves in the kitchen, as this is a role that has typically been assigned to women.
This phrase is a form of passive aggression, demonstrating a lack of respect for the identified individual, and suggesting that they ought to stay within the boundaries of their gender-based role.
The person being addressed could interpret this phrase as an attempt to limit their power, their autonomy, and their ability to participate in the boardroom.
You know, if you think about it, the kitchen is a pretty awesome place
A kitchen is a place of warmth and nourishment, filled with the smells of delicious food and the sounds of laughter.
It is a place of comfort and joy, where friends and family gather to share a meal, a conversation, and a sense of togetherness.
To suggest that someone should go back to the kitchen is to belittle the importance of the kitchen and the people who inhabit it.
So to reply, You know, if you think about it, the kitchen is a pretty awesome place, is a sarcastic way of highlighting the importance of the kitchen and the meaningful moments that occur there.
I’ll go back to the kitchen when you go back to the 1950s
This humorous retort is a clever way of highlighting the outdated attitudes of the person who has made the statement.
It implies that their opinion is stuck in the past when gender roles were far more rigid and women were expected to stay in the kitchen.
By suggesting that the person should go back to the 1950s, the speaker cleverly points out that their belief is outdated and no longer relevant in today’s society.
In addition, the phrase is cleverly worded to be both funny and sarcastic, as it implies that the person is stuck in the past and should remain there.
No, I’m not the one who needs to get out of the dark ages
This phrase is a suitable comeback because it conjures images of the patriarchal and oppressive systems of the past, suggesting that the person who made the original comment is stuck in the past and needs to move into the present.
It implies that the speaker is not bound by the gender roles of the past and that they are free to pursue their interests and ambitions without judgment or criticism.
By making a reference to the ‘dark ages’, it also implies that the speaker is more informed and enlightened than the person who made the original comment and that their opinion is more progressive and valid.
No, I think I’ll stay right here and prove you wrong
This comeback is clever because it implies that the speaker is not going to take the statement at face value.
It suggests that the speaker will stay and fight back against the statement, showing that they are not going to be bullied into submission.
It also implies that the speaker believes they are right, and they are willing to stay and prove it.
The phrase is a reminder that no one should ever be dismissed or belittled because of their gender or role in society
I’m sorry, do you really mean that?
This response flips the script on the tired, sexist trope that women belong in the kitchen by implying that the speaker’s comment was so outdated and out of touch that it seemed like a big joke.
It also implies that the speaker is not a person that can be easily dismissed, but rather someone that should be taken seriously.
This clever comeback is a great way to show strength and wit in the face of a condescending comment.
I’m sorry, I don’t think I speak ‘caveman’
This phrase implies that the speaker is not intimidated by the antiquated sentiment, and is instead focusing on the present, where women are equal and respected members of society.
Furthermore, it conveys an idea of human evolution, suggesting that the speaker has moved beyond such outdated ideas.
As such, this clever retort serves as a powerful reminder of the progress of gender equality, while also demonstrating the speaker’s wit and intelligence.
I’d rather be in the living room, watching TV
This response is lighthearted and humorous, which can help to diffuse the situation. It also implies that you don’t take the suggestion seriously and are unwilling to be told what to do.
No, but I can send you back to the nursery where you belong
This response implies that the person who said it is the mature one and the person who asked them to go back to the kitchen is childish and belongs in the nursery.
It is a clever way to put someone in their place and to make it clear that the speaker is in a position of authority.
The person who said it is showing that they are not afraid to stand up for themselves and will not be pushed around. It is a clever comeback that is both assertive and humorous.
No, but I can send you to the etiquette class
This is a clever comeback to the outdated and sexist notion of going back to the kitchen.
It sends the message that outdated gender roles are not acceptable in today’s society and that everyone should be held to the same standard of respect.
The phrase also implies that the speaker is well-mannered and educated in the ways of etiquette, which is an important quality to possess in any social environment.
Furthermore, it shows that the speaker is not afraid to stand up for their beliefs and will not be intimidated by outdated and sexist ideas.
No, but I can send you back to the Jurassic period
This sarcastic response is a clever way to come back with a witty retort to a sexist comment.
By suggesting to send the person back to the Jurassic period, it implies that the speaker views the comment as outdated, offensive, and rude.
It is a humorous way to put someone in their place without resorting to insults or aggression.
This response is also a clever way of turning the tables and flipping the script on the person making the sexist comment.
It is a way of saying ‘I won’t stoop to your level and fight fire with fire, so I’m going to use humor to make a point’.
Gladly, as soon as you do the dishes
When someone sarcastically tells you to go back to the kitchen, it can be a funny comeback to reply with Gladly, as soon as you do the dishes.
This response is humorous because it implies that the dishes need to be done, but the original comment was likely not meant to be taken seriously.
It implies that the person is not expected to actually do the dishes, but rather that it is a way to cleverly play off their own comment.
This response is also a way to turn the situation into a joke, rather than an argument.
It is a way to show that you are not taking the comment too seriously, and are able to have a laugh, even in the face of an otherwise potentially awkward situation.
No, but I can send you back to the 11th century
This is meant to be a humorous response that plays on the idea that a kitchen is a place for women to be and that the 11th century was a time of immense gender inequality.
By suggesting to send the person who made the comment back to the 11th century, the speaker is pointing out the absurdity of the comment and implying that the person making it should take a step back and look at the sexism inherent in their words.
This response is a humorous way to point out the sexism in the comment and to encourage the speaker to think more critically about their language.
Were you trying to make a joke?
This response is really cool because it does not make you feel intimated by someone sayins you should go back to the kitchen.
It also implies that you have bigger aspirations than the kitchen.
I’m happy to stay in the kitchen if you’d like to join me
This response is great because it shows that you’re not intimidated by the comment and that you’re capable of taking charge of the situation.
It also implies that you’re willing to engage with the person who made the comment if they’re willing to take it seriously.
No, but I can send you to a history class
This response is suitable because it acknowledges the comment without reinforcing gender stereotypes.
It suggests that the person making the comment should recognize the value of gaining knowledge and understanding about history, rather than simply implying that a person should be relegated to the kitchen based on their gender.
This response also encourages the person to take the initiative to learn about history, rather than simply accepting the comment and following the stereotype.
In this way, the response communicates a message of respect and understanding, while also helping to challenge outdated gender expectations.
Conclusion
The 20 best comebacks to respond to ‘go back to the kitchen’ provide plenty of options for those who’ve experienced this type of sexism.
Whether you choose to go for a witty retort, a clever pun, or a more serious response, it’s important to remember the power of words.
It’s never okay to tell someone to ‘go back to the kitchen’, and that message can be effectively communicated even with a few words.
No matter what you choose to say, know that you’re standing up for yourself and for others who have experienced this type of sexism. Every response is an opportunity to speak out and make a difference.
I hope you gained value from this article.