This discussion arose around the statement
"PersonX was my oldest high-school friend"
The intention was to refer to length of time known (roughly the opposite of 'most recent') as opposed to meaning that the friend was older in years (age).
After reading this thread on eldest vs oldest it seems that oldest would, indeed, by the right word to describe most-aged friend. Was the original statement incorrect? If so what is the proper term?
Best Answer
The phrase is indeed ambiguous. My oldest friend usually means the one I have known longest, and it would be unusual to use it in the other sense, but it might happen.
There is not really a straightforward way of saying the other meaning: I would probably use eldest (which is only used in this sense), but my eldest friend, though clear, sounds odd to me, so I would say the eldest among my friends.