The term 'old biddies'? Is it really that offensive?

I don't like it. Don't see any need to label older people except for the more explanatory 'seniors'.

I am still proud of the fact that I got myself banned from Sainsburys forum for kicking up a fuss about their "old bag" campaign. Just don't like these references at all.

Although you obviously mean no harm by it Granjura. Respect for what you are doing.

I wouldn't worry - I don't suppose any of your old visitors are members of any expat forum! They know how much you respect them.
It wouldn't bother me to be called an old biddy - I have been called much worse!

not keen personally, although I have been guilty myself on occasion when referring to the ladies in mum's care home.

I always think of it in reference to infirm over 80 yr olds. Rather than us lively lot.

The only people allowed to refer to me in such terms are the two to whom I gave birth and it's always in a bantering, tongue-in-cheek manner. It would be more respectful to use 'senior citizens'.

Better than old bosoms!

I typed BESOMS

It might be more respectful, but I don't like 'senior citizens'. We don't refer to the younger generation as 'junior citizens'. I agree that 'old biddies' is OK when used by your children in a joking manner, and also that it does seem to be reserved for the very elderly, especially when they're in organised groups!

jeni! I'd rather be an old besom than an old biddy, myself!

Ana, the elderly people who come for lunch are mostly in the 80/90 bracket. My dad used to be the oldest, at 96. Now the oldest is 'only' 94

Now there's a point. Can an elderly man be an 'old biddy'?

Don't worry - just get on with clearing your driveway for this old biddy's car!

Grans, grannies, old biddies, wrinklies old dears are all pejorative phrases used to patronise and dismiss older women as sub-human. without intelligence and discrimination. The first person to use any of those phrases in my presence will be taken off at the knees.

I'm with you Flickety

Though I'm sure granjura didn't mean it in a derogatory way.

Said with fervour flicketyb but do you not think there is a case for reclaiming grandmother and its abbreviations as a positive word?

The terms are only offensive if they are used offensively. Offence is more often taken than given, I think.

I will not take offence if someone calls me a gran or a granny or an old biddy. I AM the first two and I may, one day, be the third. Who cares? Not me.

Great nan- I've got a terrible cough - so the other (much older) biddy cleared the whole drive, including your reserved spot.

FlicketyB, good job I am an intelligent, human and undiscriminated against old biddy, or I'd be so scared. And I just love being 'Granny' to my grand-children, a young, active, fun-loving one, but a Granny all the same. I find it so sad when grand-children are told to to call their grand-parents Granny and Granpa, or else.

Thank goodness for the snowblowing machine- I thought it was a bit of a waste, but without it we would be doomed

Not nearly as bad as calling them "vieilles filles"!

Some of my erstwhile day-release students referred to their mothers as their 'old dears'. These mums were probably no more than mid thirties. What they called their grandmothers I never discovered.

Granjura, I thought snow blowing machines were the ones they use on the pistes to make a good surface? Are you planning to ski down the hill behind the house?
Did you have your flu jab? Tell you OH he is my favourite man outside my family!
My great grand-daughter, who is just four, calls me Nanny Noo. I sent her an ecard and jacqui lawson cards sent me a confirmation addressed to 'Dear Nanny Noo'.

Ooh, I do like Nanny Noo! I'm Nanny Og (as in Terry Pratchet). I really don't take offence at anything I'm called - as long as it's said with affection. I'm proud to be a wrinkly and old biddy has a very comfortable sound. What I'm not keen on is Senior Citizen. It's so cold and impersonal.

Lets be honest, we are old biddies. I frequently refer to myself as an old fa*t or an old fogie. I think some people take themselves too seriously and I am fully aware that in other peoples eyes that is what I am (I'm only 63). Just think back to when you were at school and how old you thought the teachers were. I really couldn't care less. I think some people are just too precious. As long as it is not said in malice IMHO.

Greatnan the machines for the ski pistes are called Ratrak - our snowblower looks like an oversize lawnmower, and has rotary cutters and a chimney you can direct in any direction to blow the snow - it bites into the walls of snow and ejects said snow a few metres away. Brilliant.

I'll tell him he is a good egg, you are right there.