"old soul"

[nq:1]I've heard the expression "old soul" used three times in the last couple of days. Does it actually have any ... of New Age nonsense that doesn't mean anything at all? "If you can, tell me something happy." - Marybones[/nq]
The latter, I believe.
Take a look at this ****:
http://searchwarp.com/swa74654.htm

[nq:1]I've heard the expression "old soul" used three times in the last couple of days. Does it actually have any meaning, or is it, as I suspect, a bit of New Age nonsense that doesn't mean anything at all?[/nq]
Both, I'd say: that is, it has a meaning, but that meaning is (I, and I think many, would say) a bit of New Age nonsense. See:

[nq:2]I've heard the expression "old soul" used three times in ... of New Age nonsense that doesn't mean anything at all?[/nq]
[nq:1]Both, I'd say: that is, it has a meaning, but that meaning is (I, and I think many, would say) ... says that there is a second sense, not New-Age-ish (though it seems to me to derive from the same concept).[/nq]
Which of the two definitions is at point here?

[nq:2]Both, I'd say: that is, it has a meaning, but ... it seems to me to derive from the same concept).[/nq]
[nq:1]Which of the two definitions is at point here? I've heard phrases like "He's a good old soul" all my life, which greatly antedates "New Age"[/nq]
As, of course, does Old King Cole, who was reported to have been a merry old soul.

Roland Hutchinson
He calls himself

[nq:1]I've heard the expression "old soul" used three times in the last couple of days. Does it actually have any meaning, or is it, as I suspect, a bit of New Age nonsense that doesn't mean anything at all?[/nq]
Old King Coel was a merry old soul

Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://

[nq:1]I've heard the expression "old soul" used three times in the last couple of days. Does it actually have any meaning, or is it, as I suspect, a bit of New Age nonsense that doesn't mean anything at all?[/nq]
AIUI it's from Hinduism and/or Buddhism, referring to a much reincarnated soul. No doubt 'New Age' fell upon it with delight.

[nq:2]I've heard the expression "old soul" used three times in ... of New Age nonsense that doesn't mean anything at all?[/nq]
[nq:1]Old King Coel was a merry old soul[/nq]
Yes. In BrE "soul" is sometimes used to mean "person". Such uses that I've been familiar with for all my life seem to fit the "endearment" part of the OED sense:
7. fig. Applied to persons:a. As a term of endearment

[nq:1]Old King Coel was a merry old soul[/nq]
Name change?
Anyway, just to add a bit:

Old King Cole was a merry old soul,
And a merry old soul was he;
He called for his pipe, and he called for his bowl, And he called for his fiddlers three.
Every fiddler, he had a fiddle,
And a very fine fiddle had he;
Twee tweedle dee, tweedle dee,
went the fiddlers.
O

Maria Conlon filted:
[nq:1]Btw, I think of "old soul" as a good term (unless someone says "evil" or "bad" or something like that before "old").[/nq]
I've had STS, Sam and Dave style, since this thread started, and the best way to deal with that is to pass it on to everyone else:
I want everybody to get up off your seat
And get your arms together, and your hands together And give me

[nq:1]I've heard the expression "old soul" used three times in the last couple of days. Does it actually have any meaning, or is it, as I suspect, a bit of New Age nonsense that doesn't mean anything at all?[/nq]
At least two distinct (probable) sources:

1. "Old King Cole was a merry old soul . . . "known since 1708 and used in everyday speech.

2. "Soul" as US black culture (