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

Rinsing out the coffee jug just now I remembered a possible male equivalent for biddy: 'codger'. The person who does Cubs with me used it the other day to the new District Commissioner, who turned up with three other people to our Cub night. They had business to discuss and a badge to give to my friend who has finished all her leader training.

DC did not introduce himself, so at the end when the kids had gone and we were clearing up all the apple crumble mess, my friend said to relatively young (i.e. younger than us) DC: "We thought you'd be an old codger!" He was a bit taken aback by her German straightforwardness, but then chatted to us. We discovered he's not a scout in the same way we are but, in his words, is there to "market the brand". Oh dear! Why does that not sit comfortably with me?

I am not surprised, Bags - how many ministers have the faintest knowledge of their department? Many schools have head teachers who have never taught - they are from the worlds of business and finance.
I can see why you would feel uncomfortable about the scout movement being a 'brand'.
I am not sure I agree with you about making offensive language illegal.
Some times the law precedes public perceptions.
Personally, I don't give a hoot what anybody calls me - my daughter frequently calls me 'Old Woman', which I am.

Fashions in offensiveness change. See blasphemy. Censorship is dangerous. Besides, the word nigger has not been banned by law, has it, only by consciousness of the negative connotations and history surrounding its use. Education.