"Over the hill" is a phrase used in English-speaking countries to describe people who have reached a certain age in their lives. It implies that they have passed their 'peak', physically or mentally.

It also implies that age is a condition for discrimination.

American context

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Critiques of American Culture often insist that marketing and general cultural strategies push the glamour of youth as being the major ideal in life. The anti-aging industry in America is the largest in the world.

At the age of 50, most Americans consider themselves "over the hill." This may be because there is typically an "over the hill" party at the age of 40.

In certain areas, after a person has become 40, their friends and family members will begin to count down from the age of 40. Thus, 41 becomes 39, and 42, 38. A real record of age is still maintained, and for practical purposes still used, but for the use of birthday cards and age jokes the count down age may be used.

Over the hill technically starts at age 40 because of Americans' average lifespan of around 80 years.

Other cultures

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In many other cultures there is no conception of a 'peak' in life, but rather stages in life, and there is no denial of the aging process or death.

See also

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• Ageism
• The Hill
• Hill

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