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NL888 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

How old is qualified to be called "elderly"?

How old is qualified to be called "elderly"
Can a 53-year-old man be called elderly?

Context:

elderly ['eld?li]
  • n.

    • people who are old collectively
      Synonym: aged

  • adj.

    • advanced in years; (`aged' is pronounced as two syllables)
      elderly residents could remember the construction of the first skyscraper

  

Top answer

Someone 53 would be very insulted. He'd say he was middle-aged. The word 'elderly' is gradually falling out of common usage, in my experience.

— Clive

  • Someone 53 would be very insulted.
  • He'd say he was middle-aged.
  • The word 'elderly' is gradually falling out of common usage, in my experience.
  • Here in N.
  • America, we live in a society that is very youth-oriented.
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6 Answers
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Someone 53 would be very insulted. He'd say he was middle-aged.

The word 'elderly' is gradually falling out of common usage, in my experience. Here in N. America, we live in a society that is very youth-oriented.
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That is, the man, 53, is middle-aged, not elderly?
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For me, "elderly" would usually imply maybe 70+.
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NL888That is, the man, 53, is middle-aged, not elderly?
It's a matter of opinion. Some people of that age would not be comfortable with being considered middle-aged.
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NL888How old is qualified to be called "elderly" Can a 53-year-old man be called elderly?
1. In my experience whether a person is called elderly depends much less on their age and much more on their looks and behavior. A 53-year-old can be called elderly while a 73-year-old might not be called elderly. For example, I am nearly 97, but I look much younger an
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GPYFor me, "elderly" would usually imply maybe 70+.
Hey, watch your mouth, kid!
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