# Old Fogeys

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-fogeys/651400>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [February 26, 2013, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-fogeys/651400 "2013-02-26T01:43:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hottius\_Maximus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ab097/32.png) [@Hottius\_Maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hottius_Maximus)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-fogeys/651400/1 "2013-02-26T01:43:17Z")

</div>

So what exactly is the origin of the term “Old Fogey” and at what point does somebody become an old fogey? Is there such a thing as a young fogey? What must one do to attain Fogeyhood?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-fogeys/651400/2 "2013-02-26T01:51:10Z")

</div>

The [Word Detective](http://www.word-detective.com/back-b.html) says it’s Scottish, ultimate roots uncertain. Also that “young fogeys” refers to a group of conservative English writers.

Sadly, I have been an “old fogey” since the age of 6. Mainly because I am prudish, have extremely old-fashioned values, and generally look on the new with suspicion.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-fogeys/651400/3 "2013-02-26T01:56:47Z")

</div>

My wife says I’ve been one an old fogey since she met me 36 years ago. I prefer to think I was just ahead of my time.