Old as Methuselah
Old as Methuselah means extremely old.
Though common in Southern speech, the expression itself is not originally Southern or Appalachian.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I'm heard people say 'older’n Methuselah,' but I didn't grow up with it. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I'm heard people say 'older’n Methuselah,' but I didn't grow up with it. Pronunciation
[OHLD az muh-THOO-zuh-luh]
/oʊld æz məˈθuːzələ/
/oʊld æz məˈθuːzələ/
Meaning & Usage
- Extremely old
Bev:
That recliner’s old as Methuselah. How’s it still holdin’ together?
That recliner’s old as Methuselah. How’s it still holdin’ together?
Colton:
This recipe’s old as Methuselah - passed down from my great-granny’s granny.
This recipe’s old as Methuselah - passed down from my great-granny’s granny.variations: older than Methuselah
Origin
The phrase draws from the biblical figure Methuselah, traditionally described as living 969 years. English speakers have used "old as Methuselah" since the 1600s and 1700s as hyperbole for great age.
It spread through British English first, then into general American English, long before it became part of Southern storytelling. Because the South is deeply familiar with biblical imagery, the expression fit naturally into Southern conversation - but it is not a native Southern or Appalachian creation.
Verdict: Southernish. A favorite in Southern speech today, though its lineage comes from broader English and biblical idiom rather than Southern roots.
Notes
- Often used jokingly or affectionately when describing old objects, furniture, vehicles, or even family stories.
- People sometimes assume it is Southern because biblical references are common in Southern humor and conversation.
- Widely understood across English-speaking regions with no regional dependency.
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 20). Old as Methuselah. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/old-as-methuselah
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Old as Methuselah." HillbillySlang.com, 20 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/old-as-methuselah.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Old as Methuselah." HillbillySlang.com. November 20, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/old-as-methuselah.
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Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...