auld lang syne
Definition
- Phrase (Scottish):
- Literally "old long since": "auld lang syne" refers to times long past, days gone by, or former times, especially those remembered with nostalgia or affection. It is most famously used as the title and refrain of a traditional Scottish song sung at New Year's Eve (Hogmanay) and other farewell occasions.
Usage Examples
- (The song is a cultural tradition.)
- (They drank in memory of past times.)
- (It is used to refer to the past.)
Advanced Usage
- "For auld lang syne": as an expression meaning "for the sake of old times" or "in memory of the past."
- We shared stories and laughter, for auld lang syne. (We did so to remember our shared history.)
Variants and Related Words
- Auld (adj, Scottish): old.
- She wore an auld coat. (An old coat.)
- Lang syne (adv, Scottish): long ago; long since.
- He talked about lang syne. (He talked about the distant past.)
Synonyms
- Days of yore: times long past.
- Yesteryear: the previous year or past times.
- Old times: former periods of one's life.
Related Idioms
- Should auld acquaintance be forgot: the opening line of the song, meaning "should we forget old friends?"
- The question "Should auld acquaintance be forgot?" reminds us to cherish past relationships. (It is a rhetorical call to remember.)
Cultural Note
- Auld Lang Syne (the song): a Scottish poem by Robert Burns (1788), set to a traditional folk tune. It is sung globally on New Year's Eve, at graduations, funerals, and other events marking endings or new beginnings. The lyrics ask whether old friends should be forgotten and raise a toast to the past.