10 Trends That Disappeared Without Anyone Noticing

Some cultural fads go out with a bang— while others choose an Irish goodbye. An online thread asked: What things quietly went away? The answers? A nostalgic, weirdly satisfying list of things we collectively outgrew, forgot, or pretended never happened.

Here are 10 former staples of everyday life that faded into obscurity:

1. Waterbeds
Once considered the peak of bedroom luxury (and, somehow, sex appeal), waterbeds were bulky, hard to move, and prone to leaks. Eventually, we all collectively agreed: just… no.

2. Facebook Poke Wars
There was a time when poking someone on Facebook was flirty, funny, or just a weird way of saying “Hey.” Now it feels about as current as logging into MySpace from a flip phone.

3. That Old TV Screen Shrink Effect
Remember when turning off your TV made the picture collapse into a little white dot before fading to black? That tiny death spiral is now just a memory—thanks to flat screens and LED technology.

4. Flash Mobs
For a few years, strangers bursting into choreographed dance routines in public was a viral sensation. Now, not even your grandma on Facebook is watching those anymore.

5. Traveler’s Checks
Before credit cards worked internationally and apps made everything easy, people carried pieces of paper to “safely” convert cash. Now? Good luck even finding someone who knows what they are.

6. HQ Trivia
Millions tuned in to shout “Savage question!” in real time. Then it fizzled out just as fast, proving that trivia apps—like most startups—are fragile.

7. “ROFL”
Once an internet staple, “Rolling on the Floor Laughing” has gone the way of dial-up. These days, it’s LOL or LMAO—because nobody wants to imagine rolling around on a gross floor.

8. Planking
The viral trend of lying stiff like a board on random objects came and went so fast, we’re still unsure why it started. Or why we ever thought it was funny.

9. Ringtones
Remember when everyone had a custom ringtone and it was a huge deal? Now phones mostly stay on vibrate—because we’ve evolved into silent scrollers.

10. The Weird Plastic Soda Bottle Base
Those weird crinkly “feet” at the bottom of 2-liter bottles? Phased out in favor of simpler, more recyclable designs. You didn’t miss them, but now you’re thinking about them again.

So if you ever feel embarrassed by your old online habits, viral obsessions, or questionable taste in mattresses—don’t worry. Culture moves on. And apparently, so do we. Quietly.