old fogey

English

Alternative forms

• old fogy

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 (General Australian):

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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."

Related terms

• young fogey
• fogey

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.