ENGLISH
REFERENCE

auld lang syne

idiom
Meaning

Days gone by; former times.


Origin

first recorded 18th c.

From Scots auld lang syne (“old long ago”, literally “old long since”), popularized by the poem “Auld Lang Syne” (1788) by Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns (1759–1796) based on an older song.

Examples
SIMPLE

We sang a song about auld lang syne at the party.

CONTEXTUAL

Old friends gathered at the pub to share stories and remember auld lang syne.

COMPLEX

As the year drew to a close, they raised their glasses in a quiet toast to auld lang syne and the memories they had built together.

Anchors to

Last updated April 17, 2026