codger

• coger (obsolete)

Possibly derived from cadger (“hawker”).[1] Or abbreviation of coffin dodger, but this is likely to be a folk etymology.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈkɒdʒə/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈkɑd͡ʒɚ/
• Rhymes: -ɒdʒə(ɹ)

codger (plural codgers)

1. (informal) An amusingly eccentric or grumpy and usually elderly man.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:old man

   • 1976 September, Saul Bellow, Humboldt’s Gift, New York, N.Y.: Avon Books, →ISBN, page 418:

     Now I was a forsaken codger snuffling disgracefully from a beautiful floozy's abuse.

   • 1839, Charles Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby:

     ‘I haven’t been drinking your health, my codger,’ replied Mr. Squeers; ‘so you have nothing to do with that.’