# old fogey

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/old-fogey
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

An old and overly conservative person.

## Examples

- Don't be such an old fogey about the new music.
- My grandfather is a bit of an old fogey who refuses to use a smartphone.
- Despite his relative youth, he acted like an old fogey, constantly complaining that modern technology had ruined the art of conversation.

## Origin

Recorded in 1811, the term served as a nickname for an invalid or wounded soldier. The origin is linked to the French *fougueux*, meaning fierce or fiery, suggesting a temperament that survived the body's utility. Alternatively, the term invites comparison with the noun *fogey*.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.