Ancient history

Technically, “ancient” times were 3,500 BC to 500 AD — a really long time ago.

But “ancient history” is also an idiom in English. We use it to mean, “something that happened a long time ago.” But we can also use it to mean, “Something that seems like it was a long time ago.”

I opened today’s lesson by talking about Covid-era fears of cruising. A cruise ship had one of the world’s first biggest outbreaks and people wondered whether anyone would ever want to go on a big cruise again.

That attitude, I said, is ancient history. Although that was only a few years ago, it seems like it was a long time ago. Why does it seem that way? Because today, people are back on cruises and their attitudes have changed completely. A new cruise ship–the biggest in the world–is already a success for Royal Caribbean.

So those worries about health on cruises? That’s ancient history!