old fogey

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

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
  • Audio (AU)(file)

Noun

old fogey (plural old fogies)

  1. (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."

Translations
old and over-conservative person — see fogey

References
  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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