old boy

old boy (plural old boys)

1. (chiefly Britain) 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. (Britain) 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. (Britain) Affectionate term of address for a man of any age.

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

• old boy network
• good old boy

• (alumnus) OB

• big boy

• -bloody-, bloody