Young at Heart? How We Talk About Getting Older
Do you look forward to your birthday or do you dread it because you're reminded that you're one year older?
If you dread your special day, don't forget that "age is just a number." That's what some people say to remind themselves that even though they're a little older, they can still do anything they like!
If you're 75, you can still enjoy video games or dance to the newest pop songs — because age is just a number!
It's just one of many age-related phrases and idioms that English speakers use.
An older person who still enjoys the things they did when they were a teenager might be described as "young at heart." That means even if their body is older, their spirit is young.
Those people might not listen to anyone telling them to "act their age." This means that people should become more sensible as they get older.
It's often used by parents and teachers when speaking to older children who are being silly but could also be used about adults who are behaving like children!
Of course, it's not only people that get older. Sometimes we look back at old movies or TV shows made in a different era and feel that they "haven't aged well."
That may mean that some jokes or behaviors are old-fashioned or would be inappropriate now.
People even say, humorously, that something has "aged like milk" because milk really doesn't get better as it gets older.
On the other hand, if someone — or something — has "aged like a fine wine" that means they've gotten better as they've gotten older, just like an expensive wine.
