What it means
Means a ridiculously long time ago, basically forever or at least longer than anyone can properly remember. You mostly hear it in the phrase since the year dot when someone's laying it on thick about how long a thing's been going on. It's a very British bit of exaggeration and often has a mildly grumbly, eye-rolling feel to it.
Usage examples
"That bloke’s been on the same shift rota since the year dot, mate, and he still moans the tea’s too weak at break."
"That café has been on the corner since the year dot, my gran used to go there."
"I haven't played that game since the year dot, I'd forget all the controls."
"He's been banging on about that pay rise since the year dot and still hasn't filled the form in."
"We haven't had the pub carpet changed since the year dot, you can smell the memories off it."
Voice comments
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Where it comes from
It comes from the phrase since the year dot, with dot being a jokey way of pointing to the very beginning of time or history, as if you could wind the calendar all the way back to a tiny full stop. It’s been around in British English for ages as a comic exaggeration.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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