Why are the Republicans called the "Grand Old Party" when, in fact, the Democratic Party is older?

[Big Abraham]

realy makes u think

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

I believe it’s because the Union Army in the Civil War was known as the “Grand Old Army” (and its veterans later on as the Grand Army of the Republic).

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Actually the GOP was the Federalist turned Whig turned Republican Party.
It's been the Elephant party since George Washington, strong on Defense and National Security and Christian Party that won the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, it just changed to states rights when the Dixiecrats changed the Federal Rights under FDR

But, it's Christians values were the same to end Slavery

GOP PARTY BEAT THE DIXIECRATS IN Civil Wars, Jefferson didn't win the Revolutionary War, they won Indian Wars but Federalists beat the British, and this was without anesthesia

[Ferguson97]

This says a lot about our society.

[West_Midlander]

Guess we better start calling the Dem party the Grand Old, Very Old Party or GOVOP.

[HAnnA MArin County]

Because they’re the party of old people, ha!

[Joe Republic]

The more pertinent question is why it's still called "grand".

It’s a Party of (and for) Old people, sure, but Grand?