Britons have been ordered not say everyday English phrases over fears they are contributing to "ageism" in society.
Campaigners from the Centre for Ageing Better are urging people to avoid using a number of terms because they can damage the confidence of pensioners.
The public have been told not to use so-called offensive phrases such as "over the hill", "stuck in their ways" and "dinosaur".
Other harmful expressions include "past their sell-by date" and even "old dogs can't learn new tricks".
In its fresh report for "Age Without Limits Day", the charity has unveiled a number of findings.
One in 10 people aged 45 to 54 said to have been labelled "over the hill", while one in 11 say they have been called a dinosaur.
The research also found that 20 per cent of British adults have said “mutton dressed as lamb” when describing an older person.
The report also discovered that Britons in their 40s feel they are dismissed due to their age.
The Centre for Ageing Better said using the expressions boost discriminatory judgments which result in older Britons being neglected in healthcare and employment.
Harriet Bailiss from the charity said: “Our survey shows these everyday ageist phrases are still very commonly used.
“We probably use these phrases without thinking but their repeated use helps to entrench ageism within society which can limit everybody’s work, health, relationships, ambition and confidence.
“We are calling on the country to challenge ageism.
WOKE MADNESS - READ THE LATEST:
- Museum slaps trigger warning on beloved children’s book for 'outdated views'
- Middle-class white men BANNED from taxpayer-funded body’s internship
- Christian police officer loses job for questioning Islam in diversity training session
“Our society could have a more positive outlook if these phrases were not so common.
“That is why it’s important we all try to stop using them.”
Roughly 4,000 British adults took part in the charity's survey.
The Centre for Ageing Better's plea to the public comes just months after it released a separate report which found that ageist attitudes are causing a discriminatory environment for older Britons in the workforce.
A poll of more than 4,000 adults identified 55 as the average age when an applicant is believed to be negatively viewed by recruiters.
Over a third said they believed jobseekers become less desirable once they reach 50 - with eight per cent thinking the cut-off point is as young as 40.
Just 10 per cent of those surveyed said they felt there was not an age which makes anyone undesirable to recruiters.
The charity's chief executive Carole Easton said: “Ageism limits work, health, relationships, ambition and confidence - and ultimately whose lives are seen as worth investing in.
"Ridding society of ageism would have such a transformative impact on so many lives."
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
