oben licht und unten dicht

== German == === Alternative forms === oben licht, unten dicht === Etymology === Literally, “clear at the top and dense/tight at the bottom”. Originally in forestry. The humorous use appears to be a 20th-century reinterpretation. === Adjective === oben licht und unten dicht (idiomatic) (forestry) a certain rule for a beneficial composition of deciduous forests (humorous) mentally capable and continent (regarded as the two qualities mainly required to enjoy life during older age)