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Shorthand for 60 something

(92 Posts)
GrannyGalactica Tue 10-May-16 13:38:40

I was reading a newspaper report about an "elderly couple" and was shocked to find that they were 66 and 64. I'm 66 and I'd be seriously miffed if anyone described me as an "elderly lady/woman/person". However, "middle aged lady/woman/person" ;might be pushing it a bit so what am I? Is there an appropriate adjective that reporters might use to describe my age if I feature in the news?

LullyDully Tue 10-May-16 13:45:29

We do.seem to be stuck. Baby boomers, elderly, recently retired, decrepit, older, those born post war.........or just prefer US.

Gagagran Tue 10-May-16 14:05:38

I think in the USA they refer to "seniors". That is marginally better than "elderly but not much!

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 10-May-16 14:10:42

Later middle-aged?

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 10-May-16 14:11:42

A reporter wouldn't use that though. You are stuck with 'elderly'. grin

thatbags Tue 10-May-16 14:13:24

Maybe we should all just stop using adjectives and simply state a person's age. Then it's perfectly clear and readers/viewers can think what they like. There can be, of course, a huge difference, mentally and physically, between two people who are the same age, and that can be less of a difference than there is between another two people whose ages are thirty-five years apart.

It bothers me not one jot if someone thinks I'm old. I may be, after all, compared with them. So maybe another approach is to stop caring what other people think.

In addition we all have the freedom to think what we like about other people. I daresay a good deal of it is erroneous.

GandTea Tue 10-May-16 14:41:30

Old gits works for me.

Teetime Tue 10-May-16 15:23:07

Crumblies.

Bellanonna Tue 10-May-16 15:37:16

Older person. I notice the papers usually say " pensioner, Jane smith" and the person is in her early 60s. I am of an age that would be described as elderly but I don't see myself as such. And neither do my daughters. I'm happy to self-mockingly refer to myself as an old fogey, e.g. If I'm asking a theatre if they do reductions for my age group I might use thst, or some other equally disparaging term. Just in fun. Actually the American usage of seniors is quite respectful I think and I do see it increasingly being used here. Meanwhile older person is ok too.

M0nica Tue 10-May-16 15:45:41

.....and 'Grandmother of 5' as if that defined us, much as I love my 2 DGC

Jalima Tue 10-May-16 15:49:36

A lot of older Australian people travel around the country after they retire in their campervans - they call them 'Grey Nomads' - baby boomers and mature age travellers grin
I am not grey yet so not eligible.

Ana Tue 10-May-16 16:02:21

Yes, Bellanonna, the press always used to refer to anyone over 60-ish as a 'pensioner', but these days that could be completely inaccurate since the changes in pensionable age.

'Gran of 3' etc. is another favourite, but the woman in question could be as young as late thirties!

lefthanded Tue 10-May-16 16:18:13

It's a tough one isn't it. I'm 65 (just) and I would be horrified to be described as elderly. I think the usage has become pejorative. If you see a newspaper headline that begins with the word "Elderly....." you can be sure that a story about driving the wrong way along a motorway or some similar foolishness, will follow.

I don't feel elderly, and I don't think I dress in the manner which is expected of an "elderly" person - I don't possess a single cardigan but I do have a few hoodies!

ninathenana Tue 10-May-16 16:26:51

I was going to say the same Ana the fact that I won't be a 'pensioner' for a few years yet rankles.
I'd be happy to be referred to as 60 + lady from XYZ (I'm 62)

MrsEggy Tue 10-May-16 16:39:20

DH calls us "war babies" although in fact we are both pre-war babies, it's an excuse for saving rubber bands, bits of string and hanging on to old clothes.
We're not elderly yet though!

KatyK Tue 10-May-16 17:37:54

My 92 year old neighbour was affronted when her GP referred to her as an elderly lady. smile

GrannyGalactica Tue 10-May-16 18:34:41

When my family took me to New Place in Stratford as my 60th birthday treat, the lady selling tickets asked if we had any vintage persons in our group. I was happy to own up to that - and to get my very first vintage person's discount!

Newquay Tue 10-May-16 18:50:11

We have friends whose sons have married ladies from Kenya and, when there, they are referred to-in their language-as old man and old woman. It is seen as a great compliment and defers to their experience and wisdom. As others have said here we are treated with disdain or made fun of, v little respect.
I would say that my own DDs and their DHs are v respectful to us and insist that the DGC are too-not that that stops lots of joshing-we all have good relationships and good fun together.

Witzend Tue 10-May-16 19:03:53

I like 'vintage persons'.
Ageing like a good wine, mellow and fruity and wasted on the undiscerning. ;-)

Jalima Tue 10-May-16 19:14:59

Witzend smile I like that!

I remember when MIL had to go into hospital; she was about 84 but most indignant because they had put her on a ward with 'all the old ladies'.

JessM Tue 10-May-16 19:29:43

My cousin, only recently departed at 91 and still writing works of literary criticism to the end, was affronted when her friend referred to them both as "old ladies".
I think 60s are later middle aged these days and elderly is when you start to get a bit frail. Which seems to be 80s or even 90s for some lucky people.

Jane10 Tue 10-May-16 20:02:43

In the world of old cars which DH happily occupies, there are veteran, vintage and post vintage thoroughbred cars. I'm technically a post vintage old nag as I'm definitely not a thoroughbred!

Deedaa Tue 10-May-16 21:31:11

My 92 year old grandmother was incensed to be put in a hospital ward full of old people!

fiorentina51 Tue 10-May-16 22:03:21

A few years ago I spent a couple of weeks working with a group of local teachers in Sarawak. Chatting, as you do, about family life etc. one of the local teachers referred to me as a veteran mother. I rather like that, it suggests something heroic and battle hardened and after the week I've just been through, that's precisely how I feel!

Gracesgran Tue 10-May-16 22:06:53

I would go along with "older" - I am but elderly would be someone in their 80s!