We're not old, just senior!

Feb 20 2002 By Rosey Hamilton, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Foggy: Senior Citizen

PENSIONERS, wrinklies, fogeys . . . what does the more mature person in Huddersfield prefer to be called?

According to a new survey by Norwich Union, the country's over 60s are rebelling against the tag of "old age pensioner" and are calling for a more modern term.

They claim that OAP is patronising and out of date. Some even feel stigmatised by it.

The most popular terms suggested by the over 60s were:

* Matures
* Seniors
* Swels (seniors with energetic lifestyles)
* Veterans
* Seasoned
* Vintage

But what did the mature people out and about in Huddersfield think to the idea?

In a straw poll, four easy-going pensioners said they were not overly-bothered about what people called them.

But they agreed the most respectable phrase was probably senior citizen.

Kenneth Elliott, 73, of Lindley, is a retired sub-contract manager. He used to work at valve manufacturing firm Hopkinson's at Birkby.

He said: "A senior citizen is probably the best way to describe us, it is quite polite.

"But I do not get offended by any words that people use.