the year dot

Are you using the idiom the year dot but not sure about its meaning? Using idioms, which are important elements of spoken and written language, in the right place strengthens your language skills. Examine the meaning of the the year dot idiom and the situations in which it is used.

Meaning of "the year dot"

Meaning

The phrase "the year dot" is an expression used to refer to the distant past, or from a long time ago. It is a common phrase used to reference an event, object, or idea of ancient origin. It implies a time so far back that it is difficult to remember and may as well be forgotten.

Etymology

The phrase "the year dot" is believed to have originated in Australia in the early 20th century. The expression is believed to refer to the 19th-century practice of recording the year on land deeds with a single dot. It is likely the phrase was formed as a way to refer to the distant past without needing to specify a particular year.

Usage

The phrase "the year dot" is used to refer to an event, object, or idea that is so old that its origin may as well be forgotten. It is used to describe something that has been around for a very long time, generally before the speaker's own lifetime. It is also used in a humorous way to refer to a situation or person that is behind the times.

Example Sentences

• My grandmother still has her wedding dress from the year dot!
• That old car has been in this town since the year dot.
• My grandpa is so out of touch, he still thinks rotary phones have been around since the year dot.

Idioms with similar meaning

"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom that means you shouldn't make assumptions about someone or something based solely on its appearance. In Japanese, the similar idiom is "Hana yori dango," which translates to "Dumplings rather than flowers." This idiom means that substance is more important than appearance.