Off the Chain

I hate the saying "off the chain" and all its different variations: "Damn! That was really off the chain", "totally off the chain". What the HELL does that mean? What chain are they talking about? Why do I want to be off it? Call me old but I just don't get it. I really don't. And I bet if you asked someone where that saying came from, someone who used it all the time, I bet they wouldn't know. How can you say something and you don't even know yourself what it means? That's totally stupid. For all we know "Off the Chain" could mean something very vulgar to people of another country.
I think that we should be more conscience of the pop culture phrases we pick up and pass on. Whatever happened to the cool sayings of our past? I mean if someone was acting like a know it all he was a wiseguy. If you screwed someone you would be screwing the pooch. And, my all time favorite, if you wanted to really drive you're point home - the proof was in the pudding (because really - who doesn't love pudding). I think we should resurrect these old time sayings and out these young whippersnappers and their jive talking lingo. Because really, should my 57 year old mother be saying "That is really awesome" or is it more fitting to hear her say"Cool Daddy-O, real cool", I think we both know!