old-lady
Meaning
A polite or formal term for an elderly woman.
(informal, often humorous) One's wife or mother.
(slang) A powerful sedative drug, especially a barbiturate.
Structure
Usage
The old-lady who lives next door has a beautiful garden.
I have to check with the old-lady before I can commit to the trip.
He took an old-lady to help him sleep on the long flight.
Etymology
The compound "old-lady" is a straightforward combination of two native English words. "Old" derives from the Proto-Germanic aldaz, conveying the fundamental concept of age and maturity. "Lady" has a more specific social history, originating from the Old English term for the female head of a household, literally "one who kneads bread." When combined, the term initially served as a simple, respectful descriptor for an elderly woman of status. Over time, its usage expanded through informal and slang channels, acquiring metaphorical meanings such as an affectionate or humorous reference to a wife or mother, and later, in mid-20th century drug slang, as a personification for a sedative pill, drawing on connotations of something calming or soporific.
Analysis
old: From Old English eald, meaning "aged, ancient, mature." It is a Germanic root with a functional role as an adjective describing age. lady: From Old English hlǣfdīġe, meaning "loaf-kneader, mistress of a household." It is a compound of hlāf (bread, loaf) and dīġe (kneader). Its functional role is as a noun.