PhrasesHub

The year dot

    Definitions

      • a very long time ago
        To refer to a distant or unspecified point in the past, often humorously or dismissively

      • an unspecified time in the distant past
        To emphasize that something has been happening for a very long time

    Examples of The year dot

    • The company has been successful since the year dot.

      This idiom means "since ancient times" or "since the beginning of time." In this context, it suggests that the company has been prosperous for an extremely long time.

    • I haven't seen that movie since the year dot.

      This example uses the idiom to mean "since it was first released." In other words, it implies that the speaker has not watched the movie for a very long time, possibly since it premiered.

    • That celebrity has been in the spotlight since the year dot.

      This idiomatic expression indicates that the famous person has been in the public eye for a very long time, perhaps even since their career began.

    • We have been working together since the year dot.

      This usage of the idiom suggests that the speaker and their colleague or collaborator have been working together since the very beginning of their respective careers or ventures.

    • The company has been thriving ever since the year dot.

      This idiom is used to refer to the beginning of something, which in this case can be interpreted as the beginning of the company's operations. The meaning of "the year dot" is a figurative expression that goes back to the idea that time is measured in years, and the beginning of a time period can be marked as "the first day of the year" or "January 1st". So, by saying "the year dot", we mean the absolute beginning of time for that specific context or event. In this example, it indicates that the company's success has existed since its inception, or its first day of operation.

    • She's been working at the organisation since the year dot.

      Similar to the previous example, this idiom is employed to indicate that the person in question has been involved with the organisation since its inception or initial operation. Since the beginning of the company or organisation's existence, she has been working there.

    • We've been dealing with this problem since the year dot.

      This usage of "the year dot" conveys that the current issue has been present since the very beginning of that specific situation. No matter when the problem started, it has been a persistent and long-standing problem that the person or organization has been dealing with for a substantial period of time.

    • The team has been training since the year dot and they're now contenders for the championship.

      Here, "the year dot" indicates that the team has been practicing and preparing for the championship since the beginning of their training. It's been a lengthy and steady process that has led the team to contend for the championship, which is a testament to their hard work and dedication.


    Conclusion

    "The year dot" is an idiomatic expression used to refer to a very long time ago or an unspecified time in the distant past. It can be used to dismissively or humorously refer to a distant point in time or to emphasize that something has been happening for a very long time.

    Origin of "The year dot"

    The origin of the idiom "the year dot" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in British English. The phrase "the year dot" is thought to have originated from the use of "dot" to represent an unspecified point in time. It is likely that the idiom developed over time as a way to humorously or emphatically refer to a distant or unspecified point in the past. There are no specific historical events or texts that can be attributed to the origin of this idiom. However, it is commonly used in colloquial English to convey a sense of timelessness and antiquity. For example, "I've been doing this since the year dot" emphasizes the long duration of an activity without specifying an exact time.