old boy

old boy (plural old boys)

1. (chiefly British) An alumnus, especially of a public school.
2. A former member of a group.
   • 2011 September 24, Aled Williams, “Chelsea 4 - 1 Swansea”, in BBC Sport‎:

     Swansea named an unchanged side from their win over West Brom, and the visitors made an encouraging start, with Blues old boy Scott Sinclair prominent - Branislav Ivanovic had to make an important block to halt the winger's run.

3. (UK) An old man.

   I got talking to an old boy in the pub, and he told me what the village used to be like in the old days.

4. (UK, dated) A familiar term of address for a man of any age.

   Listen, old boy, I've got some news.

• OB (alumnus)

• old boy network

• good old boy

• big boy

• -bloody-, bloody