'Getting' vs 'Going'

[scotman]

Why is it normal to say 'getting old' or 'getting fat' etc but usual to say 'going bald', 'going deaf' etc? As far as I can see all these are progressive conditions none of which is welcome.

[Quizmonster]

It's all part of the wonderful richness of the English language. Both verbs, get and go, can mean 'become' as well as a raft of other meanings. Over time, each has settled into idiomatic usage in slightly different ways; hence, getting fat and going bald. I suppose it might as easily have been going fat and getting bald. Indeed, going bald often IS used.

[Quizmonster]

My last sentence above should, of course, have said getting bald.