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Comment by univalent | Hacker News Reader

Wait, 40 counts as middle aged? I guess I'm middle aged. Now THAT is truly depressing.

My uncle literally cried when he reached 60 and was able to get his (very useful) senior discount card. I thought it was cute until I realized I'm almost 50.

Said card: https://www.mexperience.com/inapam-mexicos-discount-card-for...

The generally accepted definition of middle age is 45 years old; and young adulthood ends at 40, which gives you five years to adjust I guess!

I thought that I became middle aged when I turned 35.

I refer to myself as middle aged when talking to people (e.g., "I'm middle aged but single"). I have even mentioned getting getting screened for cancer now that I'm middle aged to my doctor and he didn't disagree or say anything.

Are you sure middle age starts at 45?

45 is much too late for the average human. The average human has a life expectancy of 79 years.

That's not really relevant, as middle age doesn't actually mean "in the middle of one's life expectancy".

"Middle" is just the etymology, the intended meaning is "somewhere between young man 18 to 40-something and old person (60-65+)" (childhood being its own thing).

middle age, noun: the period after early adulthood and before old age, about 45 to 65.

Yes, and it's not like it's difficult to check. Dictionary definition:

middle age, noun: the period after early adulthood and before old age, about 45 to 65.

That’s depressing.

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