Age campaigners in the UK are urging the public to stop using phrases they describe as ageist, including “over the hill” and “stuck in their ways.” The Centre for Ageing Better says that language of this kind can entrench ageism in society by reinforcing negative stereotypes about older people and how they behave. Campaigners argue that repeated everyday wording can shape attitudes and influence how people see themselves as they get older. They also say such phrasing can undermine confidence, affecting how individuals feel about ageing and their place in the community.
Sky News reports that the campaign targets common expressions used in conversation, highlighting that seemingly casual comments may still carry discriminatory meaning. Both sources present the same core message: that people should reconsider everyday language and choose alternatives that do not portray ageing as negative or irreversible. The campaigners’ aim is to reduce stigma associated with age and to encourage more respectful ways of speaking.
