old fogey

English edit

Alternative forms edit

old fogy

Etymology edit

In 1811, an Old Fogey was a nickname for an invalid, wounded soldier; derived from the French fougueux (“fierce or fiery”).^[1] Alternatively, compare fogey.

Pronunciation edit

Audio (AU) (file)

Noun edit

old fogey (plural old fogies)

(idiomatic) An old and overly conservative person.
Synonyms: see Thesaurus:old person
- 1922, Sinclair Lewis, chapter 28, in Babbitt, New York, N.Y.: Harcourt, Brace and Company, →OCLC:
  "No; the Athletic. Tell you: Course they're always asking me to join the Union, but I always say, 'No, sir! Nothing doing!' I don't mind the expense but I can't stand all the old fogies."

Related terms edit

Translations edit

old and over-conservative person — see fogey

References edit

^ [Francis] Grose [et al.] (1811) “Fogey”, in Lexicon Balatronicum. A Dictionary of Buckish Slang, University Wit, and Pickpocket Eloquence. […], London: […] C. Chappell, […], →OCLC.

[1] [Francis] Grose [et al.] (1811) “Fogey”, in Lexicon Balatronicum. A Dictionary of Buckish Slang, University Wit, and Pickpocket Eloquence. […], London: […] C. Chappell, […], →OCLC.

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