“To be retired from active duty; to rusticate.”
Define: This term, which refers to animals that are turned out to a meadow or range, particularly a horse that is too old to work, was transferred to human beings as early as the sixteenth century.
John Heywood Usage: John Heywood immortalized the term in his 1546 proverb collection with “He turnde hir out at doores to grasse on the playne.”
🔖 Similar Terms and Phrases
- Put out to pasture: The same metaphor applied to humans, signifying retirement or becoming obsolete.
- Hang up one’s boots: Usually denotes someone (often an athlete) officially retiring from their career.
- Take a back seat: Stepping away from active duty into a less demanding or inactive role.
- Downshifting: Switching to a less demanding job or lifestyle, often because of inheritance, pension, etc.
📜 Synonyms
- Retire
- Withdraw
- Step down
- Stand aside
😆 Humorous Context
Stay away from the pasture, they say; you’ll miss the daily gossip at the water cooler too much. 😜
📘 Suggested Literature
- “Travels with Charley” by John Steinbeck: A classic memoir involving travel, reflections, and lessons of retirement.
- “The Old Man and The Sea” by Ernest Hemingway: Tackles the essence of life’s later stages with grit and determination.
- “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Albom: Beautiful reflections on life’s purpose and retirement.
🎶 Recommended Songs
- “When I’m Sixty-Four” by The Beatles: A fun melody pondering old age.
- “The End of the Road” by Boyz II Men: Melancholic yet deeply entwined with nostalgia.
🎥 Notable Movies
- “The Bucket List” (2007): Two terminally ill men accomplish a list of epic to-dos before kicking the bucket.
- “Up” (2009): An animated tear-jerker about adventuring in one’s advanced years.
- “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” (2011): An ensemble cast of retirees taking on a bold new living adventure in India.
✒️ Inspirational Farewell
Remember, it’s not about slowing down; it’s about exploring new pastures. The next chapter can always be the best one yet! 🎉
🧩 Fun Quizzes:
### What does it mean to "rusticate" in cliché terms?
- [x] To be retired from active duty
- [ ] To learn metalworking
- [ ] To study archaeology in rust-covered locales
- [ ] To invent creative excuses
> **Explanation:** "Rusticate" is a common term for retiring someone or something to a quieter life away from active duty.
### Which phrase is a genuine retirement euphemism?
- [ ] Kicking tin cans
- [ ] Diving for dodos
- [x] Hang up one's boots
- [ ] Slipping on watermelons
> **Explanation:** "Hang up one's boots" is often used to signify someone retiring, particularly from active professions.
### True or False: Renting out umbrellas is a popular retirement idiom
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** As interesting as it sounds, "renting out umbrellas" is not a known retirement idiom. The real ones are less wet and more wise.
