General
q-tip
What does q-tip mean?
Gently mocking slang for an elderly patient, from the resemblance of white hair to a cotton bud (Q-tip).
"The clinic was full of Q-tips waiting for their reviews."
Origin
US slang for the elderly, from the cotton-swab brand.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Q-tip' mean as slang?
Gently mocking slang for a white-haired elderly patient, from the resemblance of their hair to the cotton tip of a Q-tip swab.
Is calling someone a 'Q-tip' rude?
It's meant light-heartedly but is dismissive of the elderly, so it wouldn't be appropriate to say to a patient's face.
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