to not get what the phrase 'women of a certain age' means??

[Restrainedrabbit]

I find this phrase really meaningless, where did it come from!?

Does it not refer to woman experiencing the menopause? That is what I always understood it to mean anyway. Maybe I have been misunderstanding everyone's euphemisms for years!!
I will watch this post with interest just in case!

I'd think it's probably intended to refer to someone over 35 ish.

Sounds a bit sexist though, I'm not sure why

I thought it was a euphemism for the menopause and all mad odd behavior that can cause?

query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE4D61539F931A35754C0A963958260

"The Oxford English Dictionary defined that sense of certain as "which it is not polite or necessary further to define."

...
Reached in San Francisco, Dr. Rubin, whose book indicates she is now in her early 70's, was surprised to learn of the long English history of the phase because "it has a long history in French, where it refers to women of fortyish and thereabouts who are able to initiate boys and young men into the beauties of sexual encounters. The early use in English seems to be about spinsterhood, but the French meaning has nothing to do with marriage."

I think it means a menopausal woman too.

I thought it was 'women of a certain age' said with a kind of les dawson bosom heave, and is talking about the menopause.

Over 35 tinsel?? Shit, I'm a woman of a certain age with that definition

I love MN, always an answer to everything LOL!!

I just find it a bit coy and patronising, also sexist but again not sure why??

I think it's used by err women of ahem my age when we are coyly feeling that we don't want to be 'middle-aged'.

I am 47 btw. A presentably youthful 47 but 47's 47, really, innit.

I like to think of it as a French 'femme d'une certaine age', you see, in a vaguely Catherine Deneuve-ish way.

Which would work a lot better if I weren't a short lefty type who wears thermal vests.

Because it has derogatory connotations - only applies to women and obviously not young nubile young woman. Connected to spinsterhood - not a state that has a lot of social status.

Often used in derogatory way - women of a certain age should not dress/behave like that.

What I think it means is that it is the sort of woman who would like an electric blanket for christmas.

So age isn't so much an issue of physical age - but a state of being.

motherinferior - I took the French meaning to be like the USA "Cougar" ie predatory older woman after young male flesh.

I agree with Mother

But died a little inside when I read Quattro's post as did indeed have a lovely fleecey electric blanket for christmas 2 years ago

So age isn't so much an issue of physical age - but a state of being.

I need to change my state of being - switch from sensible mum mode to fun loving just over 30 ish woman else that electric blanket is going to start looking appealing.

I think it refers to frumpy older women who think Bon Marche or Per Una clothes are trendy rather than vivacious older women of the Helen Mirren variety.

Not to do with age as such more about attitude.

I've always worn vests, though. Even when young and relatively nubile.

I still wear quite short skirts, albeit with thick woolly tights.

Oh I like your definition Quattrocento!!

I rather thought I might be "of a certain age" (I am 48) but I definitely don't want an electric blanket so that is alright.

A friend of mine had another definition which might be relevant - when you are younger if you happen to fall over then you say "I fell over". When you get "to a certain age" then you say "I had a fall". Or is that a Northern thing?

Anyway - thankfully that doesn't apply either. Not that I fall over very often.

I still wear quite short skirts, albeit with thick woolly tights.

At least you have a skirt - not like on this thread

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1095474-to-be-a-bit-surprised-at-how-many-people-look-like-theyve-forgotten-their-skirt-these-days
clearly DH is correct am I have started to channel my mother ( from 100 miles away not from beyond the grave ).

You see I wear short skirts etc etc but still like a toasty bed.

Hmm a state of mind eh... Are we talking elasticated high waisted trousers and decorated cardies from per una? I imagine a woman in her 50s going by comments on this thread.

Its that time of life when you dye your hair menopausal red and get a bob cut..... "cause blonde looks too young, and black bleaches you out, but a nice warm auburn will put the bloom in your cheeks" : )

I think it's the age when a woman stops being called "hot", and if she's lucky, gets called "elegant".

Don't get me started on "well-preserved" or "spry".

Yours menopausally, and, at the moment hot, but it's Aussie heat not, you know.

Echt.

It's when even the flirtiest French waiter called you Madame rather then Madmoiselle!

it's when you start wearing sensible shoes.

maybe footglove or the like.

I thought it was just one of those mildly irritating euphemisms for people who don't want to give their age.

But when I try to picture someone who fits the description, I get someone 45-55, who has clearly aged naturally somewhat; but who still has definite (but discreet), possibly dangerously edgy, sex appeal.

Right so now I'm imagining Glenda from Eastenders (for those who watch) rather than Carol