I am a baby boomer, and I really hate that term. First, I wonder whether people born between 1946-1964 are considered baby boomers in the UK? In the US it has become a negative phrase, I think, because of political implications of social security, medicare and the like. We are accused of being selfish and robbing the young of money.

Apparently I am not the only one who hates the term. I read an article that there is a "new vocabulary expected as ageist terms get old." Some of the terms they didn't like were "aging gracefully" or "senior" or "boomer." Apparently the language is starting to change. Have you noticed any changes? What terms of aging do you like - or not like?

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I am a baby boomer, and I really hate that term. First, I wonder whether people born between 1946-1964 are considered baby boomers in the UK? In the US it has become a negative phrase, I think, because of political implications of social security, medicare and the like. We are accused of being selfish and robbing the young of money.

yes, the same here.

I always thought a baby boomer was a farty infant.

Arnie, is the UK coming up with more "politically correct" words? While I do hate some of those words (like "senior" and "baby boomer"), I also hate some of the politically correct words that come out. It used to be "drug addict" or "addiction." Then it morphed to "substance abuse." But even that's too negative, so now it's "substance use disorder." Geez.

So maybe I'll keep "baby boomer" - but I'll never be a "senior citizen!"

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but I'll never be a "senior citizen!" Posts: 19531 | Location: Chicago, USA

You certainly will... and eventually an old geezer, too. Or perhaps crone...I know not.

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You certainly will... and eventually an old geezer, too.

Not over here. A "geezer" is essentially male, and not necessarily old.

To me, a geezer is an old man.

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To me, a geezer is an old man.

I bow to your superior knowledge, your decrepancy.

Never bow to my knowledge proof.

Here is some information on the history of the word. I am not sure if it's correct. Does anyone know?

That's what I knew, more or less. In modern usage in the UK, the word is roughly equivalent to the American "guy", although it refers to men only. It is of course a dialect word (most famously London Cockney), and colloquial.

This reference was helpful in collecting extra-US opinions. I think I prefer "elders" (suggested by someone with PR savvy). It suggests both 'superior' and 'respected'.

I don't mind being called a 'baby boomer', but then that's probably because of my generation's innate sense of superiority. After all, we were the adored post-WWIi babies, as evidenced by our gross numbers, & if junior doesn't like it-- as always-- we can simply outvote him (while numbers last...)!

I dislike "Out of the way of my skateboard, Grandad."

Bethree, that was an interesting site. Elders isn't bad, but it still doesn't do it for me, though I am not sure what does.

"Senators" used to have a nice ring... perhaps 'long in tooth'?

I'll be a senator! "Long in the tooth?" I think I'll stay away from that!