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Times have finally caught on them. To be old-fashioned is to have old ways of thinking, talking, dressing, self-expression. While being old-fashioned is not always a bad thing, like how wine ages fine, there are terms that have come to be used to refer to them. Find your place in the great timeline when you use the following slang terms for old-fashioned.
Slang Words for Old-Fashioned (in Alphabetical Order)
Conservative
Meaning:
- (Adjective) To have the lowest risk and highest safety in mindset or fashion choices.
- Example: Conservative dressing is still maintained in some religious groups
Dyed in the Wool
Meaning:
- (Idiom) To be old-fashioned is to refuse new and changing beliefs or truths. “Dyed in the wool” is an expression for this turndown.
- Example: The belief that children out of wedlock can never amount to anything is a dyed in the wool thinking of the previous generation. Nowadays, children of this origin prove to be more empathetic and understanding.
Fuddy Duddy
Meaning:
- (Noun) Usually an old person who is fussy to others about their mindset.
- Example: The tenants avoided having guests when the fuddy duddy landlady was around. She nags aloud in the hallways about responsible renting.
Moth-Eaten
Meaning:
- (Adjective) For long held properties that are old-fashioned and no longer useful.
- Example: Willow’s moth-eaten clothes at the back of her closet can’t even be donated because they are too worn out.
Museum Piece
Meaning:
- (Noun) An expression for anyone or anything that is overridden by current trends.
- Example: While marveling at the face of new instructional technology, the senior teachers felt they were starting to be museum pieces.
Nostalgic
Meaning:
- (Adjective) An endearing word for missing the days gone by.
- Example: Despite the house being old-fashioned and rustic, Ivy felt nostalgic in its walls. She remembered warm Christmas gatherings and childhood adventures while walking around.
Okay Boomer
Meaning:
- (Expression) A GenZ slang in response to anyone making a trip down memory lane marked with annoyance.
- Example:
Person 1: In my days, we had to walk 5 kilometers before getting to school. There were no cars around.
Person 2: Okay boomer, it’s not our fault we have bicycles, trains, and cars nowadays.
Old-School
Meaning:
- (Adjective) A classic slang for anything old-fashioned and nostalgic.
- Example: Cassette tapes and Walkmans are the old-school way of listening to music.
Outdated
Meaning:
- (Noun) An object or activity that is no longer practiced in the mainstream.
- Example: Texting has become outdated while messaging through social networking sites have become the norm.
Rinky Dink
Meaning:
- (Adjective) A North American slang for things that are old-fashioned and low-quality.
- Example: You’ll know if it’s a rinky dink phone when you no longer have enough storage after the first few weeks of having it.
Retro
Meaning:
- (Adjective) A party theme or music vibe of old-fashioned hues.
- Example: Uncle Ben only played retro music in his car so I know “The Carpenters” pretty well.
Rococo
Meaning:
- (Adjective) An architectural slang with French origins that means “out of style” typically meant for highly textured work of pebbles and shells. Today, it can be used for interior designs that was meant for earlier times.
- Example: Miranda is so picky of her living space. She called the 10 earlier tours ‘rococo’.
Stick in the Mud
Meaning:
- (Idiom) An informal slang for a person who is inflexible in the face of change and too serious to enjoy the moment.
- Example: Sheldon is a stick in the mud for not allowing his roommate to live with his wife.
Time-Honored
Meaning:
- (Adjective) To hold up old things, values, and practices with such high esteem even when they are old-fashioned.
- Example: Basket weaving is a time-honored skill throughout Southeast Asia.
Vintage
Meaning:
- (Adjective) Commonly used for fashion and accessories that are known to be old-fashioned.
- Example: Everyone dressed in vintage for “The Great Gatsby” themed party.