old-fogy

An old-fogy insists on using a rotary telephone instead of a smartphone.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who is excessively old-fashioned or conservative: "old-fogy" refers to someone who is stubbornly attached to outdated ideas, customs, or styles, and resistant to change or modern trends.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • My grandfather is such an old-fogy; he refuses to use a smartphone. (A person who clings to outdated habits and dislikes new technology.)
  • The board members are a bunch of old-fogies who vote against any reform. (People who are excessively conservative and oppose innovation.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be an old-fogy": to exhibit the characteristics of being stubbornly old-fashioned.

  • Don't be an old-fogy; try the new restaurant everyone is talking about. (Don't be overly resistant to new experiences.)

• "old-fogy attitude": a mindset that rejects modern ideas or practices.

  • His old-fogy attitude towards remote work cost the company talented employees. (His conservative, outdated perspective.)

Variants and Related Words

• Old-fogyism (n): the state or practice of being an old-fogy; excessive conservatism or adherence to old ways.

  • The organization's old-fogyism prevented it from adapting to the digital age. (The quality of being stubbornly old-fashioned.)

• Fogyish (adj): characteristic of an old-fogy; old-fashioned and conservative.

  • His fogyish views on education are out of touch with current teaching methods. (Having qualities of an old-fogy.)

Synonyms

• Conservative: a person who is averse to change and holds traditional values.
• Traditionalist: someone who strongly adheres to established customs and beliefs.
• Reactionary: a person who opposes political or social change, often seeking to return to earlier conditions.

Related Idioms

• Set in one's ways: having fixed habits or opinions that are difficult to change.

  • At seventy, he is set in his ways and will never accept new technology. (Similar to being an old-fogy, but implies personal habits rather than general conservatism.)

• Stuck in the past: unable or unwilling to accept modern ideas or practices.

  • The company's management is stuck in the past and ignores digital marketing. (Overly focused on outdated methods.)

Usage Notes

• The term "old-fogy" is often used humorously or mildly derogatorily to criticize someone's resistance to change, but it can also be used self-deprecatingly.
• It is typically applied to older individuals, but can describe anyone with an excessively conservative outlook, regardless of age.