Full Breakdown
Harrison Ford’s On-Air Confusion Over Gen Z Slang ‘Raw-Dogging a Flight’
5/12/2026, 11:53:32 PM
Ford’s On-Air Misunderstanding of ‘Raw-Dogging a Flight’
During a May 2, 2024 SiriusXM interview of *Shrinking*, 83-year-old Harrison Ford was joined by co-stars Christa Miller, Jason Segel and Sherry Cola. Cola described “raw-dogging a flight” as sitting on a plane in silence, without movies, music or distractions. Ford interjected, “That’s not what raw-dog means,” prompting host Nicole Ryan to ask for clarification. The cast labeled the slang “filthy” and “vile,” and Ford said his age left him “over this part of anybody’s life.”
Origins and Misuse of the Term
Historically, “raw-dogging” denotes a sexual act. In Gen Z slang it now means performing an activity without distractions. *Shrinking*’s first season featured Ford’s character Dr. Paul Rhoades using the term to mean “talk to somebody that doesn’t want to talk to you,” a misuse that foreshadowed the May 2 exchange.
Key Participants and Timeline
- Harrison Ford – Dr. Paul Rhoades.
- Sherry Cola – introduced “raw-dogging a flight.”
- Christa Miller – replied “You’re married, you don’t have to worry about that.”
- Nicole Ryan – asked for definition.
- D’Arcy Carden – later described Cola’s habit.
Timeline: March 2024 – Carden interview; May 2 2024 – SiriusXM interview; early 2024 – *Shrinking* season 1 aired.
Data Snapshot
Ford, 83, has five children (sons Benjamin 59, Willard 56, Malcolm 38; daughter Georgia 35; adopted son Liam 25); the on-air exchange occurred on May 2 2024 with four cast members and host Ryan.
Implications for Generational Communication
The incident shows how quickly slang can evolve beyond older figures’ comprehension, creating comedic moments that reveal challenges in inter-generational dialogue. Media exposure of such gaps can normalize new vernacular while prompting discussion of linguistic change.
Official Responses
Ford expressed bewilderment, citing his age and parental experience as reasons for missing the slang’s meaning. Miller reassured him that his marriage shielded him from the term’s sexual connotation. Ryan requested a definition, prompting the cast to label the phrase “filthy” and “vile.” Carden noted that Cola’s practice matches the Gen Z use of “raw-dogging” as distraction-free travel.
Criticism of the Slang
Cast members condemned the term’s original sexual meaning, describing it as “filthy” and “vile,” and suggested it is unsuitable for mainstream conversation.
Conflicting Definitions
Sources vary: some define “raw-dogging” as a sexual act, others as “doing something unpleasant without distractions,” while the show’s script misused it as “talk to somebody that doesn’t want to talk to you.” No single definition emerged in the interview.
Verbatim Quotes
- “That's not what raw-dog means.” — Harrison Ford, actor
- “I have five children. People — I never — what does this mean? Why do you let me do this? And then you make fun of me. It’s because I’m old.” — Harrison Ford
- “You're married, you don't have to worry about that.” — Christa Miller, co-star
- “Do you want to explain to us what it actually means?” — Nicole Ryan, host
- “vile,” — Nicole Ryan, host
