Text:

S: “A golden birthday is the year you turn the same age as your birthday”

Context:

My sister turned 17 this year, and she told me that it was her golden birthday. She then explained that a golden birthday is the birthday when you turn the age of the day you were born on. For example, my sister was born on the 17th and she turned 17 years old.

Analysis:

A “golden birthday” is a form of folk speech used especially by kids. I remember hearing others at school excitedly talking about their golden birthday. It was believed that your “golden year,” the year you’re the age of your birthday, was suppose to be one of good luck. As I’ve gotten older, I haven’t heard it used or discussed much, leading me to believe that it is primarily an “esoteric” – insider’s – form of communication amongst children. I remember always being a little sad that my golden birthday is when I turn 30 – it felt very far away for a child, and I wanted to be a part of the community, an insider.