This phrase is a derogatory saying that usually denounces someone's style in something. "X" is usually replaced with a time period whom the person's style reflects. "Y" is replaced with the item being made fun of or denounced.
Another permutation of this saying is more common on imageboards, messageboards, and forums. china called...
Examples of X Called, they want their Y Back...
Hey, Justin Bieber called, he wants his singingskills back.
Hey, the 1970s called, they want their clothing back
Hey, Elvis called, he wants his hair back
"Back of the Y is without a doubt the greatest thing to grace our television screens in many years. If youre looking for a half hour of full kicking, mind blowing, no budget, stunt laden wanking jokes then this is for you. While everyone seems to be talking about the American series 'Jackass' at the moment, its good to see that our own home grown Kiwi dumbasses Matt Heath and Chris Stapp have once again risen to the challange and made a show so stupid and funny that it makes any jackass look lameass."
"Listen im gonna say this once! DRUGS, are for GROWN UPS! GO TO BED!"
A toe rag was originally a foot wrapping used, since mediaeval times up until the mid-nineteenth century, to protect the foot from chafing by boots or shoes. As these were, quite literally, rags they weren’t usually washed, and so with use they became very smelly until they were thrown away. Because of the similarity in smell, toe rag also became the name applied to dried, salted cod or other things with a strong, unpleasant, fishy smell. It didn’t take that long before the name was applied to someone who was an obnoxious, unpleasant OIC.
1 “Socks! Those aren’t socks you smelly git, they’re toe rags!”
2 “What have you been cooking? Smells like toe rag!”
3 “I can smell ‘er fanny from ‘ere, proper toe rag.”
4 That Heale Malcolm is a right toe rag.