A very long time ago; too long ago to be dated.
The year dot
What's the meaning of the phrase 'The year dot'?
What's the origin of the phrase 'The year dot'?
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…”
See also – jot or tittle.
The history of “The year dot” in printed materials
Trend of the year dot in printed material over time
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