Don't take him too seriously—he's just an old card who likes to tease.
Used lightheartedly to reassure someone that a person's strange comments are harmless and just part of their funny personality.
Noun phrase: old card
Vibe: Personality and character
An eccentric, funny, or peculiar person with a unique character.
Uncle Joe is a real old card, always telling wild stories at dinner.
You picture an older man in a slightly mismatched outfit winking as he lands the punchline of a joke, charming everyone in the room with his quirky sense of humor.
Real-life examples
My neighbor is an old card; he walks his parrot around the block every morning.
Said with fondness to describe someone who does unusual, memorable things in their daily routine.
Synonyms
Contrast & nuance
'Old card' (or just calling someone a 'card') is a slightly old-fashioned, affectionate way to describe a quirky, amusing person. Unlike 'oddball' or 'weirdo,' which can sound negative, calling someone an old card implies you find them charmingly entertaining.