oldfogydom

Updated: May 4, 2025

Thus, to state the matter in an approximate inverse arithmetical progression, and dating the birth of "young America" about the year 1825, previously to which reigned the dark ages of oldfogydom, so called, we find as follows: From 1825 to 1835, young gentlemen learned to smoke when from 25 to 20 years of age; from 1835 to 1845, young gents, ditto, ditto, from 20 to 15 years; 1845 to 1855, from 15 to 10; 1855 to 1865, 10 to 5; 1865 to 1875, 5 to 0; and, if we continue, 1875 to 1885, zero to minus: but really the question is becoming too nebulous.

Various - The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 06, No. 34, August, 1860