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Joined: Nov 2000
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old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 819 |
While listening to NPR yesterday I heard the reporter refer to an active centenarian as "spry." This term seems to be commonly used to refer to active older people, yet we (in the USA, at least) refer to active young people as simply "active." Why? And why, for that matter do we call older people "Senior Citizens?" They may be citizens of Guatemala or Greece, for all the speaker knows, so the term seems silly to me. How is it in the rest of the world?
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9
stranger
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stranger
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9 |
Ahh, these are the questions I think about when I can't get to sleep. My question the other night was why do we (Americans) use food terms for terms of endearment? But, back to your thought. That is true, although I like the word spry. I'm going to have to lie awake tonight and think about this. Thanks.
foggy gardens
foggy gardens
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addict
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Excellent questions Geoff! I work with Senior's all day. I have a sweet 87 year old lady who comes into Meals on Wheels and delivers to 60 year olds! Around here, anyone over 55 gets their Senior Citizens discount at the local stores on Wednesday!
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Joined: Nov 2000
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old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 819 |
I like the word spry. I'm going to have to lie awake tonight and think about this. Thanks.You're most welcome! Just give me a call next time you run out of No-Doze! 
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veteran
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veteran
Joined: Oct 2000
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spryFrom the Britspeak angle (Angle angle?  ) I don't hear "spry" used all that much, but I believe it does mainly relate to vigorous oldsters. You'd talk about a "spry old chap", and never about a "spry young chap". A quick glance at the dictionary tells me the etymology is uncertain, so you've found an interesting word here, Geoff. "Senior Citizens?"We definitely have Senior Citizens, the term often being used alongside OAPs (Old Age Pensioners). e.g. entry to a high-adrenaline Theme Park would be 30 quid for most people, but 15 quid for OAPs and Senior Citizens (for the ride of their life  ). I suppose Senior Citizen implies someone of an age where they could have retired and could be in receipt of a pension, but may actually still be working, or perhaps have come into an inheritance, so are unable or don't need to draw a pension. Also interesting. [think bubbles in a goldfish bowl...]
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enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 275 |
While listening to NPR yesterday I heard the reporter refer to an active centenarian as "spry."....
Trust NPR to use words like spry. (I wonder how many teenagers would know it.) Anyway, I did enjoy the series they did, some months back, on those spry centenarians. I will not forget the one who still does skinny-dipping on moonlit nights at the lake in the back of her country house.
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old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 819 |
I will not forget the one who still does
skinny-dipping on moonlit nights at the lake in the back of her country house.
If she does it in January, "spry" could be a contraction of "splat," "spray," and "Iyyyyyyy!"
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439 |
I must advise all you youngsters of a salient fact.
There is sex after 70.
This can be good news or bad news depending on your - ahem -disposition!
I speak as a 73-year-old High Priestess! You've got to have some age and wisdon to be eligible for the office!
But believe me you need not be spry! Supple, yes.
Agile helps. But spry? no.
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Joined: Aug 2001
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
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I must advise all you youngsters of a salient fact.
There is sex after 70.
Thus ably debunking Tom Lehrer's take on the old "gather ye rosebuds while ye may" line:
An awful debility, / A lessened utility, / A loss of mobility / Is a strong possibility.
In all probability / I'll lose my virility / And you your fertility / And desirability.
And this liability / Of total sterility / Will lead to hostility / And a sense of futility.
So let's act with agility / While we still have facility, / For we'll soon reach senility / And lose the ability.
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