As old as Methuselah

Definitions

• very old
  To describe something or someone that is extremely old, often in a humorous or exaggerated way. Can also be used to refer to something that has been around for a long time and is considered outdated or obsolete.

Examples of As old as Methuselah

• My grandfather is as old as Methuselah. He turned 170 last year.

  The idiom 'as old as Methuselah' is used to describe someone who is extremely old. Methuselah was a biblical figure who lived for 969 years. By saying that someone is as old as Methuselah, we mean they are very, very old. In this example, the speaker's grandfather is much older than the average lifespan, making him an extraordinary case.

• The building is as old as Methuselah. It has been standing for over 500 years.

  Similar to the previous example, this statement is used to describe an object that has been around for a very long time. The building being described is several centuries old, making it almost as ancient as Methuselah himself.

• My great-grandfather's watch is as old as Methuselah. It has been passed down through generations and is still running after all these years.

  In this case, a valued antique is described as being as old as Methuselah, implying its extraordinary age and impressive durability.

• The tradition of making cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving has been around as long as Methuselah. It has been a part of the holiday for centuries.

  This example illustrates the longevity of a cultural or traditional practice that has been around for generations. In this case, the action being described is as ancient as the biblical figure, Methuselah, emphasizing its endurance over many centuries.

• The lady's hair was as white as snow and as thick as Methuselah's beard. She was a very old woman indeed.

  This final example uses the idiom 'as white as snow' to describe the lady's hair color, while the more complex 'as thick as Methuselah's beard' is employed to describe the thickness of the lady's hair. Both metaphors help to accentuate the extreme age and impressive physical attributes of the old woman.

Conclusion

The idiom "as old as Methuselah" is a figure of speech used to convey the idea of something being very old. It is often used in a playful or comedic manner, and can be applied to objects, people, or situations. The idiom is typically used to describe something that has been around for a long time, but may also imply a sense of weariness or outdatedness.

One possible interpretation of the idiom is that it originated from the biblical figure of Methuselah, who is known for his extremely long lifespan of 969 years. This connection to the biblical figure adds a sense of exaggeration to the idiom, emphasizing the extreme old age being described.

Origin of "As old as Methuselah"

The origin of this idiom is not completely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the late 18th or early 19th century. Some sources suggest that the idiom may have been influenced by the biblical story of Methuselah, while others propose that it may have originated from the phrase "as old as the hills." Regardless of its exact origins, the idiom has become a commonly used expression in the English language to convey the concept of something being very old.