19 TV Show References That Help Us Through Life

References are certainly an important part of making any TV show memorable. Sometimes it's a funny and relatable saying that sticks around, or a tradition from a TV friend group that transcends into your own life, whatever it may be they're a way for the audience to connect with the characters on screen.

Some shows are iconic and known for their ability to create standout references; a few include Grey's Anatomy, Friends, and How I Met Your Mother. Any show centered around humor is a good candidate to produce such references.

You may find yourself using these references as you go through life, whether you're experiencing a funk and trying one of the coping mechanisms offered, or are looking to have slapsgiving with friends. Whatever it is, we've compiled a list of the ones we found the most memorable.

Comment your thoughts below and let us know if you've used any of the listed references! Also list any we may have missed.

1. Dance It Out

If you're a true Grey's Anatomy fan, I'm sure you've "danced it out" with friends through many life struggles. There has to be some research that says dancing it out to music is the cure to many things — something about the music and movement stimulating the brain's dopamine supply.

2. Pivot

Maybe you've moved to a new home, dorm, or apartment and have struggled to carry heavy, bulky furniture through the absurdly narrow hallways. But fear not, yelling the word "pivot" made the experience much more satisfying and much more bearable thanks to Friends.

3. Yas Queen

"Yas Queen!" your proper response to anything exciting in life including the miracle of your friend's childbirth and of course any situation in which you've taught a 7-year-old the phrase itself.

4. Diva Off

When you need to settle an argument fair and square, of course, you're going to use a diva-off as the way to settle the score, what better way to choose the best point guard than by having them compete for the better rendition of a Rent song just as Rachel and Mercedes did in Glee.

5. Closet Pow Wow

Sometimes the only way to get through the workday is to pow-wow inside a closet with your work besties. You don't always have to have access to a fancy fashion closet like Jane, Sutton, and Kat have in The Bold Type, a janitor's closet will work all the same.

6. Musical Monologue

It can be all in your head or to a crowd, but Rebecca Bunch's musical monologues in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend throughout her trials and tribulations certainly helped her figure out answers to many of life's challenges.

7. Motherforker

This especially comes in handy when you're surrounded by younger siblings or cousins at family gatherings and need to keep your sailor mouth under control. Unfortunately, there's still the possibility of a slip-up, unlike Eleanor Shellstrop who literally can't curse in The Good Place.

8. Burt Macklin and Janet Snakehole

Whether you and your significant other have been planning this outfit for months or came up with it on the fly, recreating Park's and Recreation's April and Andy's alter egos, Burt Macklin and Janet Snakehole, undoubtedly saved the occasion.

9. Bible Kiss Bible

I'm sure you have to be a true Gilmore Girls fan to remember this reference, but if you do, have you used it in your everyday life? When you're talking to your friend about that recent guy or girl they kissed, but don't want to be too obvious, try texting or simply saying the phrase Bible Kiss Bible. It's a sure way to be super subtle and confuse everyone.

10. (Dysfunctional) Family Brunches

Maybe you'll be able to disregard the dysfunctional part, but as long as you take the idea of a Sunday family brunch from Jane the Virgin, you'll be on your way to at least spending quality time with your family. As Jane and Petra experience, quality time isn't always special and loving, but as long as you're sitting together around some yummy food, that's all that matters. Right?

11. Pause

Big fights with your significant other can be scary and downright exhausting. But maybe you've implemented the "pause" theory into your relationship just as Lily and Marshall from How I Mey Your Mother do to keep each other sane through big arguments.

12. Lao Ban Santa

This is a unique tradition that I'm sure only a few people may have taken away from Fresh Off the Boat. Maybe you tailored it to your own culture, really unveiling the issues behind Santa Claus. But what started as a tricky revealing of Santa Claus true identity, soon became a silly lie that he's not always a fat old white man.

13. Spectacle Disguise

Adding glasses to any look makes you practically invisible and unrecognizable. If you needed a disguise to prevent the embarrassment from talking to your crush or you needed to take on a different persona so you can gain intelligence for major secrets, surely you turned to the good ole tactic from Supergirl.

14. Signing Initial

Instead of signing your entire name, ending a note with just your first initial makes things much more efficient and mysterious. It adds an element of fun to whatever you're writing. What an easy and effortless idea from Pretty Little Liars.

15. Wholesome Thanksgiving Tradition

Probably the most wholesome reference you could use to enrich your life is the Pearson Family Thanksgiving tradition of passing around a ball of yarn to each person while offering your most thankful memories. This Is Us is filled with family traditions, so if you're looking to get through life in the most emotional of ways, steal one of these.

16. Chess Competition

It doesn't necessarily have to be Chess like in Criminal Minds, but sometimes getting together after a hard days work with your coworkers and playing a game that helps ease your minds from the relentless tasks of the day is a nice change from the typical bar.

17. Interventions

Whether your friend has an obsession with bucket hats or can't stop using the word "yeet," How I Met Your Mother has your back. Take out your "intervention" banner and gather the rest of the gang.

18. Letter Lights

After Stranger Things, I'm quite positive there was an increase in the purchase of Christmas lights. It is a fun way to decorate your apartment/house in a funky and trendy way. There is no need for harsh LED lighting on your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

19. Youths!

Schmidt from New Girl instilled the simple phrase "youths!" into our daily vernacular, and it works in so many situations. An easy way to comment on your frustration in a comedic manner. Maybe the youths are messing up your front lawn or are kicking over your potted plants. Whatever the case may be, this phrase has the effect to make an annoying situation light-hearted.