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fogey

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Borrowed from Scots foggie, fogie (noun), perhaps derived from Scots foggie (“covered with moss or lichen; mossy", hence "old, antiquated, decrepit”, adjective), from Scots fog (“moss; lichen”), equivalent to fog (“moss”) +‎ -y. Further origin uncertain. More at fog.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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fogey (plural fogies or fogeys)

  1. A dull person (especially an old man) who is behind the times, holding antiquated, over-conservative views.
    Synonym: old fogey
    • 1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 45, in The History of Pendennis. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850, →OCLC:
      [T]he old fogies, as you call them, at Bays’s, are some of the first gentlemen in England, of whom you youngsters had best learn a little manners, and a little breeding, and a little modesty.
    • 1852 August, “Editor’s Table”, in The Opal, volume II, number 8, Utica, New York, United States, page 221:
      We attribute the use of the word Fogey, by so accomplished a scholar as Mr. Beecher, to the influence of Hoosierism, acquired during a long residence in Indiana—and as used by him, applied to human beings, “old Fogeys” in a serious discourse, meaning by inference, a class of independent old gentlemen, who understand matters and things—are peculiarly prejudiced in their own forms and uses; and who adhere to the old paths of conformity to established customs.
    • 1926, Agatha Christie, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd:
      "You've heard of him, of course?" "I'm rather an old fogey, as Caroline tells me," I said, "but I have just heard of him."

Usage notes

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Usually preceded by old, compare old fogey.

Derived terms

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Translations

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