Geezer Definition & Meaning

The first records of geezer come from around the 1880s. It comes from the word guiser, which refers to a person who performs in a costume (a guise), such as in a street parade.

Geezer originated as a term for a man, much like the words chap and fellow, or their modern equivalents, dude and guy. Like these last two words, it can be used in a dismissive way. More often than not, it refers to an older man, especially one who’s treated dismissively because he’s a bit eccentric. Kids might call the stereotypical old man yelling at them to get off his lawn a geezer. Appearance is often a factor, too. An older man whose appearance is a bit shabby is probably more likely to get labeled an old geezer than a well-groomed and gentlemanly professor type. In any case, the word is used as a casual insult. Some men might even apply it to themselves, as in Old geezers like me just want to go fishing and have some peace and quiet.