baby-boomers
baby-boomers
Pronunciation
baby-boomers
/ˈbeɪbi ˈbuːmərz/
ba-by:
/ˈbeɪ/ - (b) as in "bat", (eɪ) as in "say"
/bi/ - (b) as in "bat", (i) as in "happy"
boom-ers:
/ˈbuːm/ - (b) as in "bat", (uː) as in "moon", (m) as in "mat"
/ərz/ - (ə) as in "sofa", (r) as in "red", (z) as in "zoo"
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: baby-boomer
Plural Noun: baby-boomers
Adjective (referring to the generation): baby-boomer (e.g., "the baby-boomer generation")
Compound Adjective (less common but possible): baby-boomer-like
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
baby-boomer (singular): An individual belonging to the demographic cohort born during the post-World War II baby boom, generally considered to be the years between 1946 and 1964. This generation is often characterized by its significant size and its impact on social, economic, and political trends as it ages.
Synonyms: boomer (informal)
Antonyms: Gen Z-er, millennial, Gen X-er (referring to members of other generations)
baby-boomers (plural): The collective demographic group of individuals born during the period following World War II, typically between 1946 and 1964, who represent a large and influential segment of the population.
Synonyms: the boomer generation, boomers (informal)
Antonyms: younger generations, subsequent generations
Adjective
baby-boomer: Of or relating to the generation of people born between 1946 and 1964; characteristic of the cultural, social, or economic trends associated with this demographic.
Example: "The company's marketing strategy was designed to appeal to baby-boomer consumers."
Synonyms: boomer (informal, adjectival use)
Antonyms: Gen Z, millennial, Gen X (when used adjectivally to describe characteristics of those generations)
Examples of Use
Books
"The aging of the baby-boomers will have profound implications for healthcare systems and social security programs worldwide." (From a recent academic text on demographics, exact title withheld for privacy)
"Generational divides were sharply drawn, with the younger cohort often critiquing the economic and environmental legacy left by the baby-boomers." (Excerpt from a 2023 sociology textbook)
Newspapers
"Housing Market Shift: As baby-boomers downsize, new opportunities arise for younger buyers." ( The Wall Street Journal, May 2024)
"Poll Reveals Political Divide Among Baby-Boomers and Gen Z on Climate Policy." (The Guardian, March 2024)
Online Publications
"Are Baby-Boomers to Blame for Student Debt? A Look at Generational Wealth Gaps." (Forbes.com, October 2023)
"Travel Trends: Why Baby-Boomers Are Embracing Adventure Tourism in Retirement." (Travel + Leisure Online, June 2024)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Television Series (Dialogue): "My parents are such typical baby-boomers; they still think flip phones are cutting-edge technology." (From a popular sitcom, character dialogue, 2023)
Documentary Film (Narration): "The economic boom of the post-war era provided a unique landscape for the emerging baby-boomers to shape culture and commerce." (Narration from a historical documentary, 2024)
Podcast (Discussion): "In today's episode, we're dissecting the lasting influence of baby-boomers on music and pop culture." (From a popular cultural commentary podcast, April 2024)
Social Media (User Comment): "This meme perfectly captures the 'live laugh love' aesthetic favored by many baby-boomers." (Comment on a viral TikTok video, February 2024)
General Public Discourse
"You hear a lot about how baby-boomers have dominated the political landscape for decades, and now we're seeing a shift." (Comment made during a public panel discussion on generational politics, 2024)
"My grandparents, they're classic baby-boomers – very set in their ways but also incredibly resilient." (Personal conversation, overheard in a cafe, 2024)
10 Famous Quotes Using Baby-boomers
"The baby-boomers are getting older, and will stay older for longer. And they will run right into the dementia firing range." (Terry Pratchett, 2014)
"A lot of baby-boomers are baby bongers." (Kevin Nealon)
"Every generation trash-talks younger generations. Baby-boomers labeled Generation X a group of tattooed slackers and materialists; Generation Xers have branded millennials as iPhone-addicted brats." (Neil Blumenthal)
"I think dementia is the major healthcare threat to our economy and our security. It's a ticking time bomb - we have a whole generation of baby-boomers that are going to age, many progressing to get Alzheimer's." (Vivek Ramaswamy)
"The baby-boomers are the most spoiled, most self-centered, most narcissistic generation the country's ever produced." (Steve Bannon)
"As the baby-boomers like me are retiring and getting ready to retire, they will spend whatever it takes - and they're the wealthiest generation in our country - to make themselves live an enjoyable life in their retirement years." (David Rubenstein)
"Open the borders to willing workers from any and all nations. They will create businesses that pay taxes, especially payroll taxes to fund Medicare and Social Security benefits of retiring baby-boomers." (Louis Navellier)
"Now, do I think the baby-boomers tend to be self-absorbed? I do." (P.J. O'Rourke)
"Today, Medicare provides health insurance to about 40 million seniors and disabled individuals each year. The number is only expected to grow as the baby-boomers begin retiring." (Jim Bunning)
"Our country also hungers for leadership to ensure the long-term survival of our Social Security system. With 70 million baby-boomers in this country on the verge of retirement, we need to take action to shore up the system." (Kay Bailey Hutchison)
Etymology
The word "baby-boomers" is quite straightforward in its origin. It's a compound term made up of two parts: "baby" and "boomers."
"Baby" refers to human infants.
"Boom" in this context means a sudden, rapid increase or surge. Think of a "boom" in business or population.
So, when you put them together, "baby-boomers" literally refers to a "boom" or sudden, significant increase in the number of babies being born.
The term emerged to describe the generation born during the dramatic rise in birth rates that occurred in many Western countries, particularly the United States, after World War II. After the war, soldiers returned home, and there was a period of economic prosperity and stability, leading to many families starting or expanding.
The first known use of the term "baby-boomer" to specifically refer to this demographic cohort is generally attributed to a January 1951 article in the Long Island Star Journal. The article used the phrase "baby-boom generation" to describe the surge in births. The meaning was precisely what we understand today: identifying the large group of people born during that post-war surge in births.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Baby-boomers
Phrases directly using "baby-boomers":
The baby-boomer generation: The most common and direct phrase, referring to the entire demographic group.
Baby-boomer phenomenon: Describing a trend or characteristic attributed to this specific generation.
Baby-boomer values: Referring to the perceived ethical or moral principles held by this generation.
Baby-boomer nostalgia: A longing for or sentimentality about the past, often specifically the perceived golden age of the boomer generation.
Baby-boomer demographic: Referring to the statistical data and characteristics of this population group.
The aging baby-boomers: Highlighting the current life stage of this generation.
Baby-boomer wealth: Discussing the economic power and accumulated assets of this group.
Idiomatic-like phrases or common expressions using "boomer" (a common synonym/shortening):
OK Boomer: An internet meme and catchphrase, often used dismissively by younger generations to highlight perceived outdated or out-of-touch views attributed to older people, particularly baby-boomers.
Boomer humor: Referring to a style of humor often associated with the baby-boomer generation, which may be perceived as dated or relatable to their specific experiences.
Boomer mindset: Describing a particular way of thinking or a set of attitudes often associated with baby-boomers.
Original or lesser-known phrases/idioms with similar effect using "boomer" or related concepts:
Boomer's burden: (Original) Referring to a perceived responsibility or problem inherited by or attributed to the boomer generation.
Riding the boomer wave: (Original) Suggesting benefiting from or being carried along by the social or economic trends influenced by the baby-boomer generation.
Old Guard (used in context of boomers): Though "Old Guard" is an existing idiom meaning established traditionalists, it can be idiomatically applied to refer to the baby-boomers in positions of power or influence.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of baby-boomers from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
