mossbacks
Stubbornly old-fashioned people
Mossbacks are people with old-fashioned or extremely conservative views—so resistant to change they've been sitting still long enough to grow moss.
The term originated in American politics for reactionary conservatives but applies to anyone stubbornly attached to outdated ways: The mossbacks on the committee blocked every reform proposal.
Sometimes used affectionately for traditionalists.
Cautious about altering customs
- reactionaryAnti-progress political stance
- traditionalistAdherent to established customs
- right-wingPolitically conservative faction
- ultraconservativeExtremely resistant to change
hardliner · diehard · obstructionist · antediluvian · Bourbon · Tory · fogey · stick-in-the-mud
Long-tenured person
- elderSenior figure of authority
- veteranExperienced former soldier
- curmudgeonIll-tempered, stubborn person
- graybeardVenerable elderly man
codger · patriarch · senior · antiquated · outdated · behind-the-times · fuddy-duddy · fossil
Fierce aquatic chelonian
- shellHard outer covering
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
- reptileCold-blooded scaled vertebrate
- aquaticWater-inhabiting
muddy · slow-moving · carapace · prehistoric · swamp · pond · river · basking
conservative
Cautious about altering customs
- reactionaryAnti-progress political stance
- traditionalistAdherent to established customs
- right-wingPolitically conservative faction
ultraconservative · hardliner · diehard · obstructionist · antediluvian · Bourbon · Tory · fogey · stick-in-the-mud · hidebound
old-timer
Long-tenured person
- elderSenior figure of authority
- veteranExperienced former soldier
- curmudgeonIll-tempered, stubborn person
graybeard · codger · patriarch · senior · antiquated · outdated · behind-the-times · fuddy-duddy · fossil · relic
snapping-turtle
Fierce aquatic chelonian
- shellHard outer covering
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
- reptileCold-blooded scaled vertebrate
aquatic · muddy · slow-moving · carapace · prehistoric · swamp · pond · river · basking · scutes
mossbacksprogressives
Social reform advocates
reformers · liberals · radicals · revolutionaries · modernizers
mossbacksinnovators
Creators of novel things
modernists · forward-thinkers · pioneers · trailblazers · visionaries