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Even those in their late 40s have been targeted with such language
Aine Fox Wednesday 10 June 2026 00:01 BST- Bookmark
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Campaigners are urging the public to abandon common “everyday ageist phrases” such as “over the hill” and “stuck in their ways” due to their detrimental impact on older people.
Research from the Centre for Ageing Better reveals that even those in their late 40s and early 50s frequently encounter such language.
A survey found one in 10 respondents in this age bracket had been labelled “over the hill”, while nearly a quarter were told they were “stuck in their ways”.
The problem extends to older demographics, with almost one in 10 people (9 per cent) aged 65 and above being called a “dinosaur”, and 13 per cent of over-75s dismissed as “past their sell-by date”.
These phrases, campaigners argue, “help to entrench ageism within society” and can significantly erode personal confidence as people age.
The study also showed 8 per cent of 45-54 year olds had heard the adage “old dogs can’t learn new tricks”.
Phrases like ‘over the hill’ entrench ageism within society, say campaigners (Alamy/PA)Almost a fifth (18 per cent) of all adults surveyed admitted to using the phrase “mutton dressed as lamb” to describe an older person.
Harriet Bailiss, co-lead of the age without limits campaign at the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “Our survey shows that these everyday ageist phrases are still very commonly used.
“We probably use these phrases without thinking, but their repeated use helps to entrench ageism within society which can limit everybody’s work, health, relationships, ambition and confidence as we grow older.
“That is why on age without limits day, we are calling on the country to stop and think, and to question and challenge ageism.
“Our society could have a more positive and less limiting outlook if these phrases were not so common and everyday, and that is why it’s important we all try to stop using them – for the benefit of all of us.”
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Katherine Crawshaw, also from the centre, said what can seem harmless can have damaging knock-on impacts on people.
She said: “We want people to stop and question whether they are making judgments or assumptions about people based on their age. We want people to consider what is it that they are really saying and what impact those words might have on others?
“It may seem harmless but it all feeds into an ever-present prejudice in our society which can mean people being overlooked for a job they desperately need simply because of their age, or not being considered for the medical treatment they need.
“We want people to question and challenge those ageist assumptions. By doing so, we all have the potential to create positive change for ourselves and others.”
The Centre for Ageing Better said Opinium had surveyed 4,000 UK adults online in January.
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