bernardina
Moderator
From the year dot = A very long time ago; too long ago to be dated.
(idiomatic, UK, dated)
Origin
This is a fairly recent phrase which originated in England at the end of the 19th century. It is still in use there, although less so elsewhere. The earliest record I can find of it in print is from Lands of the slave and the free: or, Cuba, The United States, and Canada, by Henry Anthony Murray 1857:
"But as our ancestors adopted this system 'in the year dot, before one was invented..."
Etymology
The phrase may originate from a representation of the zeroth or first year of the Common Era CE, or the point between 1 AD and 1 BC (as there is no year 0).
From the year one
"The year dot" is more common in British and Australian English, while "the year one" is more common in American English.
(idiomatic, UK, dated)
Origin
This is a fairly recent phrase which originated in England at the end of the 19th century. It is still in use there, although less so elsewhere. The earliest record I can find of it in print is from Lands of the slave and the free: or, Cuba, The United States, and Canada, by Henry Anthony Murray 1857:
"But as our ancestors adopted this system 'in the year dot, before one was invented..."
Etymology
The phrase may originate from a representation of the zeroth or first year of the Common Era CE, or the point between 1 AD and 1 BC (as there is no year 0).
From the year one
"The year dot" is more common in British and Australian English, while "the year one" is more common in American English.
