WORDS

With the birthdays we've had recently, I was thinking about how people are want to say "ripe old age"  when describing an elderly person as in "He has reached the ripe old age of 71."  Ripe!  Yikes!  Ready for the pickin'?  Oh my Goodness!  Is that what it means?

I suppose everyone has their own idea of what ages are ripe and which are not.  I certainly hope no one thinks that 71 year-olds are ripe (even though they may smell more than ripe some days).

This leads me to recall that I have heard a deceased person's body, which was not found immediately, described as "ripe".  Is this the same "ripe" as the elderly living person?  It couldn't be; could it?

I would appreciate it if you would never describe me as "ripe" . . .  unless I'm dead.    Thanks!

(o)..(o)