age-old wisdom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "age-old wisdom" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to knowledge or insights that have been passed down through generations and are considered timeless. For example, "The age-old wisdom of treating others with kindness still holds true today." Alternative expressions include "timeless knowledge" and "ancient insight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Age-old wisdom suggests it is not what but whom you know that matters.

Harvard Business Review

The modern version of the age-old wisdom still applies: 28.3g of prevention is worth 0.454 kilos of cure.

The Economist

One drunkard begets another, wrote the Greek philosopher Plutarch nearly 2,000 years ago, demonstrating the age-old wisdom of the observation that alcoholism runs in families.

Nature

So she stays in the big, empty house with Marge and thinks of her own grandmother back in Africa, an Uwargida-like figure who "had become the repository of the community's age-old wisdom and knowledge...

The New York Times - Books

According to age-old wisdom, milk is chock full of tryptophan, the sleep-inducing amino acid that is also well known for its presence in another food thought to have sedative effects, turkey.

The New York Times - Health

He does so with a conjurer's brew of age-old wisdom and 21st-century technology that includes a range of tools, from a software program of astronomical data produced by the United States Naval Observatory to the meticulous tracking — through some 30 computer programs he has written — of all things lunar.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Being relaxed, the resisters say, is putting faith in the age old wisdom: you find the thing you're looking for just as you stop looking.

The New York Times - Style

Age-old business wisdom from UPS could help them break this bad habit, according to Business 2.0.

The New York Times

Her mission, she suggested, was in part age-old female wisdom: that men need reminding that it might be a good thing to share their anxieties.

The Guardian

Inspired by age-old literary wisdom, countless song lyrics and the 1872 musings of Charles Darwin, a very 2006 theory to treat depression has emerged.

Los Angeles Times

The New Age still matters because it is the best resort we have to age-old traditions of wisdom.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "age-old wisdom" to add a sense of tradition and authority to your writing. It's particularly effective when discussing practices or beliefs that have stood the test of time.

Common error

Avoid using "age-old wisdom" when referring to recent trends or modern innovations; reserve it for truly established and time-tested concepts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "age-old wisdom" functions as a noun phrase, where "age-old" modifies the noun "wisdom". Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where it acts as the subject or object of a sentence, adding a sense of established and time-tested knowledge.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science & Research

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "age-old wisdom" is a phrase that effectively conveys the idea of time-tested knowledge and practices. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun phrase, adding a sense of authority and tradition to writing. While its register leans towards neutral to formal, it's versatile enough for various contexts, with a prevalence in news, scientific, and academic domains. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with established concepts and avoid applying it to modern innovations. Consider alternatives like "traditional wisdom" or "ancient wisdom" for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time-honored wisdom

Replaces "age-old" with "time-honored", highlighting the respect and value given over time.

traditional wisdom

Focuses on the aspect of wisdom being passed down through tradition.

ancient wisdom

Emphasizes the historical origins of the wisdom.

timeless wisdom

Highlights the enduring relevance of the wisdom.

wisdom of the ages

Suggests that the wisdom has accumulated over long periods.

long-standing wisdom

Implies that the wisdom has been established for a significant duration.

wisdom passed down through generations

Explicitly states the intergenerational transmission of the wisdom.

wisdom refined by experience

Highlights the practical experience as the origin of such wisdom.

insights from antiquity

Refers to the wisdom coming from ancient times, focusing on insight.

lessons of history

Highlights the wisdom learned from historical events.

FAQs

What does "age-old wisdom" mean?

"Age-old wisdom" refers to insights, knowledge, or practices that have been passed down through generations and are considered valuable and enduring.

How can I use "age-old wisdom" in a sentence?

You can use "age-old wisdom" to describe traditional practices, beliefs, or advice that have been proven effective over time. For example, "The age-old wisdom of saving for a rainy day still applies today."

What are some alternatives to "age-old wisdom"?

Alternatives include "traditional wisdom", "ancient wisdom", or "timeless wisdom", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "age-old wisdom" and "conventional wisdom"?

"Age-old wisdom" emphasizes the historical and enduring nature of the knowledge, while "conventional wisdom" refers to commonly accepted beliefs or practices that may not necessarily be based on long-standing tradition. They are not always interchangeable.