old or ancient

[annierosie]

When does something old become something ancient?

[Quizmonster]

There isn't really a standard answer to your question. A man may have done something wrong 20 years ago, yet his wife still brings it up during arguments. He may well reply: "Aw, come on! That's ancient history now!" In other words, in terms of their relationship, it happened a very long toime ago in his view.
A professor of history may be much more specific in his use of the phrase 'ancient history'. He will probably mean before 476 AD...the fall of the Western Roman Empire!
Everything is relative, Annie.

[brachiopod]

In geological terms, anything less than 10,000 years old is officially called 'recent' (also known as the Holocene ).

I have, though, heard metamorphic petrologists refer, (rather derogatively), to anything after the Permian (245 million years ago) as 'recent' - though they were also in the habit of upsetting the sedimentologists by referring to their branch of geology as 'gardening'.

[jno]

life's just one long laugh with those metamorphic petrologists, brachiopod!

[annierosie]

Thanks folks for your answers. It's my birthday soon - I think I will be progressing from old to ancient! lol

[bek87]

well according to sailing brouchers the age ranges are children (up to 13) teens (13-19) adults (20-59) and ancients 60 +!!!!!!!!!!! How cheeky can you get! but ill never forget reading that as long as i live!!

[annierosie]

Thanks bek that means i wont be ancient on my birthday!!!!!!!!!!!! lol