“The issue goes beyond the language those in the media use. The words we all choose to describe people in midlife and beyond – ourselves and others – help to define and shape attitudes about later years, both positive and negative,” reported The Christian Science Monitor.

The Monitor’s article, based on a survey among 100 journalists and editors, claims that ‘elderly,’ used as a noun, is “the word that grates the most,” while being acceptable if used as an adjective.

But the word “elders” conveys a sense of respect. “Senior citizen” was among the most disliked phrases, while “older” and “senior” were the top two choices by journalists.

Other phrases, such as “encore careers” or “after midlife,” can also be negative, “because they try too hard to avoid referencing old age,” comments Time Goes By.

Nouns aren’t the only words that can be hurtful. Much more subversive can be small words such as “still,” which in combination with an action verb, “still driving” or “still jogging”, imply that the activities are out of the ordinary.

In the same way, many expressions that seemingly are complimentary “actually boomerang,” reports the Monitor. Such as “spry, perky, chipper, feisty…”

So editors will be careful next time they read a story concerning the elders, who are often among their most careful readers (or is that another subversive stereotype?).

Source: Times Goes By