golden oldien.
/ˌɡəʊld(ə)n ˈəʊldi/, U.S. /ˌɡoʊld(ə)n ˈoʊldi/ colloquial.
1. A familiar old song, film, etc., which remains popular and is still regarded with affection.
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the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [noun] > accustomedness > familiarity with a thing > something very frequently used or familiar
institution1839
warhorse1860
part of the furniture1910
golden oldie1960
1960 Arizona Republic 18 Dec. c17/2 It was the year that those so-called Golden Oldies and Golden Gassers became very much overdone.
1977 D. W. Littlefield Islamic Near East & Islam 17 It would be much better to decide which ‘golden oldies’ are basic to one's collection and then shop for reprints.
1999 Gazette (Montreal) (Nexis) 29 Nov. w1 Cold weather..means another weekend spent watching golden oldies.
2017 Irish Times (Nexis) 14 Jan. (Weekend) 7 The golden oldie in question is Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit, prompting much alarm among those of us who still think 1992 was just a couple of years ago.
2. A popular or successful older person; esp. a veteran musician or entertainer who retains his or her popularity or appeal.
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1965 Washington Post 5 Jan. a18/4 (advt.) Starts Fri. Jan. 8th on Stage: ‘Golden Oldies Cavalcade’ Sonny Til & Orioles, 5 Keys, Charlie & Ray, [etc.].
1971 Amer. Polit. Sci. Rev. 65 781/1 New faces and golden oldies alike.
1995 Snooker Scene May 16/1 While one veteran was being overwhelmed by a youthful opponent another golden oldie, Denis Taylor, showed characteristic determination.
2008 Independent (Nexis) 15 Dec. 46 The golden oldie of entertainment television stars in a clip set in a family home with a decidedly retro aesthetic.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2018; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1960