Let’s reclaim the word ‘old’ says Prof Mary Beard
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| Photo: Sunday Times |
I was once, rather ridiculously, told by M&S magazine (RIP)
that I couldn’t use the word ‘older’ in a feature I was writing about age. I know, it makes no sense. So, hooray then for Cambridge University classicist Mary Beard who told the Cheltenham Literary Festival this week:
‘I’m really trying to reclaim the word old. I
think about it in terms of other kinds of reclamations of vocabulary
we’ve had over the years, such as ‘black’ or ‘queer’. I’m rather keen for a
campaign to do that for old, instead of ‘old’ instantly connoting the
hunched old lady and gentleman on the road sign, or the picture that you
get on the adverts you get for senior railcards. I hope by the time I die, old will be something that makes people fill with pride.’
I’m joining the campaign – are you?
Quote via the Independent.
Discussion (18 Comments)
Yes, but I think the hunched old lady getting her senior rail card should also be afforded respect and appreciation and her full due of personhood.
Judy C., I think the point is that "looking old" just like "queer" or "faggot" or "dyke" what have you might be a term we want to embrace. Holding off on "kike," but willing to consider "fatso" as well.
Indigenous peoples here use the term "Elder" with great respect (Our uni has several First Nations Elders who work with students and faculty AS Elders, which I think is pretty cool).
I will proudly embrace the term old when I get there, and I reserve the right to decide what age that will be!
I have created "The Aging Scale."
1-20 years of age you are "youthful."
20-40 years of age you are "young."
40-60 years of age you are "middle aged."
60-80 years of age you are "old."
80-100 years of age you are "elderly."
100+ I guess you are SOL or not, depending upon how you feel. I am glad to say I am old, turning 68.I appreciated Emma Thompson's recent comments on the subject; there's so much shillyshallying about the word, primarily – I imagine – because 'old' isn't supposed to be 'sexy' (unless you're a certain type of man)… and if you're female and not sexy then what on earth are you for anyway?
My best friend never got to be 40. So far I'm continuing to grow older each day… lucky me!I'm old and proud of it and right on board with where she is. It is funny has people will change around me when they discover my age…some have actually gone from treating me as a peer, to talking to me like I am in elementary school. Very sad and frustrating…I do not like to be called "Dear!"
62 and beginning to enjoy the perspective that more years bring. Only wish I were a few inches taller and a few pounds lighter…..
Yes indeed. I rather like being old on the whole. The only thing I miss about youth is the elasticity…having spent some time in Korea this summer where old people are given a lot of respect, allocated seats on public transport and are provided with free cardio equipment in public spaces, I'm all for it. Ageing isn't for the fainthearted.
Dunno, "old" is something other people would put on me, but to me I'm just…well…"Me"
It's the same when I was "young" Yeah sure, the world out there may give me short-cut labels but I don't bother doing that to myself usually. I'm too busy being "too short to reach the top shelf" or "a lover of ghost stories" or even "Peter's mother"
That being the case old is as good as young to me, but we'd damned well better stop trying to equate "old" to all things bad and evil and young as the equivalent of all things good, beautiful and desirable.
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I'll be 70 next summer and while I'm glad people say I don't look old, I am even more proud that I have made it this far and with a huge fund of life knowledge. Old to me-I'm constantly recycling myself.