79-Year-Old Embraces 'Opsicocious' Behavior

The author celebrates her age and the unexpected things she can still do.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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At 79 years old, the author has started lying about her age - in reverse. She is eager to claim the status of an 80-year-old, believing it will command more respect and allow her to take pride in her continued vigor and abilities. The author has coined the term "opsicocious" to describe this phenomenon of older adults embracing and even boasting about their age, in contrast to the "precocious" label applied to young achievers.

Why it matters

As people age, doing even ordinary tasks can become a triumph, and the author argues that many older adults start openly celebrating their age in order to get credit for their skills and activities. This shift in attitude reflects a broader cultural change in how aging is perceived.

The details

The author describes instances where she has lied about being 80 years old, rather than her actual age of 79, in order to enjoy the reactions and sense of accomplishment. She notes that as people approach 80, they often stop trying to conceal their age and instead start openly acknowledging and even bragging about how old they are. The author believes this allows them to take pride in their continued abilities and get recognition for their "workarounds" to everyday challenges.

  • The author turns 80 in November 2026.

The players

Catherine Hiller

The 79-year-old author who is embracing an "opsicocious" mindset and openly claiming to be 80 years old.

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What they’re saying

“When you get old, doing even ordinary things becomes a triumph.”

— Catherine Hiller (HuffPost)

“I enjoy any number of similar achievements throughout the day. When a woman surges past me on the running path, I say under my breath, 'Yeah, but I'm a lot older!' When I execute a perfect three-point U-turn in the car, I tell myself, 'That's not driving like a 'little old lady,' is it?' Later, I murmur, 'Betcha didn't think an 80-year-old could carry those groceries into the kitchen!'”

— Catherine Hiller (HuffPost)

The takeaway

The author's embrace of her advancing age and the concept of "opsicocious" behavior reflects a broader cultural shift in how aging is perceived. As people live longer and remain active later in life, there is a growing trend of older adults proudly celebrating their age and abilities, rather than trying to conceal them.