These everyday phrases you use might be ageist

There are a handful of everyday phrases many people use which might actually be ageist.

According to research conducted by the Centre for Ageing Better, even people in their 40s and 50s reported experiencing such language.

Harriet Bailiss, co-lead of the Age Without Limits campaign at the Centre for Ageing Better, stated that this research showed that 'everyday ageist phrases are still very commonly used'.

"We probably use these phrases without thinking, but their repeated use helps to entrench ageism within society, which can limit everybody's work, health, relationships, ambition and confidence as we grow older," she explained.

"Our society could have a more positive and less limiting outlook if these phrases were not so common and everyday, and that is why it's important we all try to stop using them – for the benefit of all of us."

Certain everyday phrase you use may actually be ageist (Getty Stock Images)

Meanwhile, Katherine Crawshaw, also from the centre, added: "It may seem harmless, but it all feeds into an ever-present prejudice in our society which can mean people being overlooked for a job they desperately need simply because of their age or not being considered for the medical treatment they need."

The phrases in question include:

• 'Over the hill'
• 'Stuck in their ways'
• 'Old dogs can't learn new tricks'
• 'Past their sell-by date'
• 'Mutton dressed as lamb'
• 'Dinosaur'

After catching light of the list, people rushed to social media to share their very mixed reactions.

(Getty Stock Images)

One Instagram user fumed: "I’ll stop saying they’re stuck in their ways when they’re actually no longer stuck in their ways."

"'Stuck in their ways' doesn't necessarily have to be ageist. It could relate to a person in a role for 10yrs etc who doesn't embrace change or technology. That person doesn't need to be of a specific generation," defended a second.

A third chimed in: "New phrases I’ll be using."

"Thanks for sharing all these phrases in a single list," quipped another while a fifth echoed: "Never met a real person who’s been offended by any of these."

Others, however, couldn't have disagreed more with one writing: "This is very true. We are an ageist society in the UK."

And a final Instagram user added: "I'm not offended by the phrases. But if I unfortunately came into contact with a car, it would annoy me to read in the headlines 'OAP hit by car'. I'm 65, and I have a name (even though I do have a bus pass and senior rail card)."