Home Subjects Archives Quotations
Search: Search Tips

genarian n. An elderly person. [Clipping of septuagenarian, octogenarian, etc.]

Example Citations:
I see no problem with nonagenarians having driving tests a tad more frequently. Probably some of the other "genarians" could use more frequent testing, as well. My guess is that they will perform better than those who are on the cellphone or text messaging while driving.
—Russell D. Chapman, "Take away the keys?," The Dallas Morning News, February 24, 2007

I have suspected from the time I was 65ish, or a "sexagenarian" (rooted from my newly coined word "genarian," and that can be "septuagenarian," "octogenarian," etc.) that I was beginning to become transparent. ...

Please do not erase me from my space in the world. You and I count equally.

Or do I need a flag to wave so you can see me and not treat me as a transparent genarian?
—Rose M. Campbell, "Senior citizens are not invisible," St. Petersburg Times, March 31, 2007

Earliest Citation:
Some people say that you should beware of retirement because it'll drag you down.

But don't tell that to Maurice Browning, 83. According to one of his neighbors in Peace Dale, he's found a sense of mission — by trying to grow an 800-pound pumpkin. ...

His garden is an expansive project for an octogenarian, or any kind of genarian.
—Gerry Goldstein, "Maurice Browning thrives and grows, just like his garden," Providence Journal-Bulletin, September 19, 1994

Notes:
Here's a citation from 1991 that doesn't quite reach the noun level:

He celebrated his sixtieth birthday recently, and laughs off the idea that, as a sexagenarian, he ought to calm down. 'Like the sexy bit. Not so keen on the genarian.'
—Patrick Barclay, "Football: The obsession that drives Bates," The Observer, December 15, 1991

Related Words:
elder orphan
grandboomer
grey nomad
supercentenarian

Subject Categories:
Sociology - Aging and Death
Sociology - People

Posted on April 3, 2007


 Recent posts:
  jingle mail
  tuxeda
  boreout
  scuppie
  allergy bullying
  IMBY
  agflation
  mullet strategy
  walkshed
  daughter track
 Alphabetical archives:
  A B C D E F G H I
  J K L M N O P Q R
  S T U V W X Y Z #
 Other links:
Top 100 Words

Recent Words

Recent Quotes

Word Spy, The Book

Word Spy Citations

Feedback

My Favorite Words

My Neologisms

Paul McFedries



Copyright © 1995 - 2008 Paul McFedries and Logophilia Limited