What do you understand by 'A woman of a certain age'? and...

[MirandaGoshawk]

just musing...

Woman aged between around 50 - 75? I might have this totally wrong!

Is it a cliche, and therefore to be avoided friend has used it in her novel

To me it signifies a bit of a battleaxe, and is not just related to age. I'm wondering if it derives from 'a certain age' meaning Victorian, or Edwardian, so a certain outlook.

They don't used it about blokes, do they?

What do you reckon?

I've wondered about this one. I think it means post-menopausal but not elderly.

It seems to be used either pejoratively, concerning the funny interests and crushes (semi-maternal, for inappropriately young men) they develop, or in the battle-axe sense, which is also perjorative.

I think the 'certain age' means 'invisible to men, so clearly likely to go a bit bonkers'.

I would think menopausal too.

Ah, OK. I hadn't thought of the menopause connection. Thanks.

Maybe not a good way to describe the heroine of your novel, then?