Meaning & use
old fogeys
Last updated
UK/ˌəʊld ˈfəʊɡiz/
US/ˌoʊld ˈfoʊɡiz/
“old fogeys” is a form of “old fogey”.
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.
Meaning
nounpluralinformaldisapproving
People who are old and have old-fashioned ideas or habits, often said disapprovingly.
Grammar: Always plural; the singular is 'old fogey'. Takes a plural verb: 'Old fogeys complain...'
The club is full of old fogeys who don't want any changes.
Some old fogeys still think women shouldn't work after marriage.
He called his teachers a bunch of old fogeys.
Word forms
| singular | old fogey |
|---|
Common combinations
- a bunch of old fogeys
- The committee is just a bunch of old fogeys who resist every new idea.
- old fogeys complain
- Old fogeys complain that music was better in their day.
- a pair of old fogeys
- My grandparents are lovely, but they can be a pair of old fogeys about technology.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fuddy-duddies
- Similar disapproving term for people with old-fashioned attitudes; 'old fogeys' emphasizes age more.
- stick-in-the-muds
- Focuses on unwillingness to try new things, not necessarily being old.
- conservatives
- A neutral or political term; 'old fogeys' is more personal and informal.
Opposites
young peoplemodernists
Word family
- old fogey noun
- Singular form; one old-fashioned person.
- fogey noun
- Short form; an old-fashioned person (often used with 'old').
Practice
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'Old fogeys' is plural and takes a plural verb like 'are'. The singular form is 'old fogey', and it cannot be used as a verb.
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