Chapter 1: The Incident of the Fall

Recently, I found myself in an uncomfortable situation when I tripped, landed on one knee, twisted my body, and felt an intense pain. However, the focus isn’t on the incident itself, but rather on the way I describe what happened.

When narrating such events, we often say that a child "fell over." In contrast, we might state that an adult "fell" or "tripped." Yet, if I were recounting a similar experience for an elderly individual, I would likely phrase it as “they had a fall.”

Surprisingly, I rarely find myself in such situations; I've only fallen about four times throughout my life, and each time I was completely sober. But the crux of the matter is how language interacts with age perceptions.

This realization struck me during a fall years ago. I was at the coast capturing photographs and was particularly cautious about the muddy terrain to avoid ruining my clothes or damaging my camera. On my return trip, I stopped at a printing shop and, while hurrying back to my car, I tripped over a curb, stumbled, tore my jeans at the knee, and scraped my skin. The pain was excruciating.

Upon getting home, I showed my neighbor, who had just returned as well. He expressed concern about my knee and promptly went to inform his wife. “Don’t worry,” I reassured him. “I’ll be alright.” Although I didn’t feel great, the pain was starting to kick in.

Inside my home, I couldn’t locate any first aid supplies, so, in a rather typical fashion for that period, I opted for a bottle of vodka. I poured some on the wound and consumed the rest, which surprisingly made me feel much better.

Not long after, my neighbor's wife called. “Phil mentioned you had a fall. Let me drive you to the doctor.”

“No, no, I just tripped. I’m fine. I have vodka!” I insisted.

I refuse to accept being labeled as old; I don’t "have falls." The suggestion felt off to me.

This experience led me to question why we use different terminology based on age. Older individuals are often said to "fall" due to frailty, health issues, or balance problems. Adults might fall due to tripping, slipping, or losing their footing. Children, on the other hand, may fall for various reasons, such as running too fast or simply being unsteady on their feet.

Is it ageist to care about how my trip — I mean, fall — is characterized?

This video titled "What is the Difference Between a Trip and Fall and Slip and Fall?" delves deeper into the distinctions between various types of falls and their implications.

Chapter 2: The Impact of Language on Perception

In light of my experience, it is crucial to explore how the words we choose can influence perceptions of age and vulnerability.

The subsequent video, "What Easily Wins Slip, Trip and Fall Cases?" discusses the legal implications of falls and how language can affect outcomes in such cases.

In sum, language not only shapes our understanding of experiences but also reflects societal attitudes towards age and frailty. We must consider the implications of our words, especially when they pertain to sensitive topics like falls.