🦷 Long in the Tooth: The Perils of Aging (With a Smile) 😁
long in the tooth: Aging or old. This unflattering term alludes to the fact that a horse’s gums recede as it gets older, and transfers the same phenomenon to humankind. The transfer understandably is not very old, since until relatively recent times adults who were old enough to experience gum recession generally had lost most or all of their teeth. It dates from the nineteenth century. Thackeray used it in Henry Esmond (1852): “She was lean and yellow and long in the tooth.”
Synonyms:
- Over the hill
- Past one’s prime
- Getting on in years
- No spring chicken
Antonyms:
- Spring chicken
- Youthful
- Fresh-faced
Humor-Filled Quotes:
“Don’t worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.” — Joey Adams 🌟
Similar Terms & Phrases:
- “Old as the hills”: A hyperbolic way to say something is very old.
- “Not getting any younger”: A gentle reminder of the inevitable march of time.
- “Has seen better days”: Used to politely say someone or something is past their prime.
- “Age before beauty”: Often said humorously when allowing someone older to go before you.
Proverbs:
- “Old age comes early to some people” - Spanish Proverb
- “Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength” - Betty Friedan 🍂
Literature:
- You’re Only Old Once! by Dr. Seuss 🥳 - A delightful and whimsical look at aging through the lens of Seussian humor.
- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway 🐟 - A tale of struggle and endurance featuring an elderly protagonist.
Movies:
- Cocoon (1985) 👴👵 - A science-fiction comedy-drama that wonderfully combines the themes of aging and rejuvenation.
- Grumpy Old Men (1993) 🧓👴 - A comedy about lifelong neighbors who are fighting it out in their later years.
Inspirational Farewell:
“Age is merely the number of years the world has been enjoying you. Embrace it!” — Antique Aucrelic 🌠
### Which of these phrases means "old"?
- [x] Long in the tooth
- [ ] Short on wisdom teeth
- [ ] Young in the gums
- [ ] Middle in the molars
> **Explanation:** "Long in the tooth" means aging or old, originating from horse gums receding with age.
### What does "over the hill" mean?
- [x] Old or past one's prime
- [ ] On top of a mountain
- [ ] Ready to climb Hills
- [ ] In the middle of life
> **Explanation:** "Over the hill" is an idiom used to refer to someone who is considered old or past their prime.
### True or False: "Fresh-faced" is an antonym of "long in the tooth."
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** "Fresh-faced" is indeed an antonym, indicating youthful appearance or vigor.
