[Ads-l] Adage Origin: Growing old isn't so bad when you consider the alternative

ADSGarson O'Toole 00001aa1be50b751-dmarc-request at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Sun Jun 29 21:23:45 UTC 2025


Way back in 2014, I posted about the saying in the subject line which
is listed in the Dictionary of Modern Proverbs as: "Old age is better
than the alternative". Recently, researcher Garry Apgar sent me a
valuable 1951 citation. This inspired additional research.

I have updated the Quote Investigator article and changes should
become visible within 24 hours.
https://quoteinvestigator.com/2014/07/10/old-age/

Here is a current overview:

1949 Feb 23: Growing old is to some degree preferable to the only
alternative (Olin Miller)

1951 Aug 28: Growing old isn't so bad - when one considers the only
alternative (Anonymous)

1951 Sep 05: Growing old isn't so bad - when one considers the only
alternative (Olin Miller)

1952 Aug 02: Growing old isn't so bad when you consider the
alternative (Anonymous)

1953 Mar 20: Growing old doesn’t seem quite so bad when you stop to
consider the alternative (Anonymous)

1953 Dec 16: Growing old isn't so bad - what if you hadn't?

Feedback welcome,
Garson

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org


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