We’re discussing magazine writing and magazine reading, when she says, “Back in the day, you used to have to actually subscribe to a magazine or pick it up at a newsstand to read it. Now we get everything online.”
I stop at back in the day.
“When is ‘the day’ in this instance?” I ask. “When you say ‘back in the day,’ when is that?”
“Five, six years ago,” she says.
“That’s fairly recent to be ‘the day,’” I point out. “‘The day’ should be further in the past, I think.”
“When’s ‘back in the day’ for you?” she counters.
I consider this carefully for several seconds. “I’d say the early ’80s, or some time in the ’80s.”
“So, ‘back in the day’ ... what?” she presses.
“Back in the day, we watched MTV for hours just to see the latest videos,” I say.
“Back in the day, we still had televisions with numbered knobs. Back in the day, basketball players’ shorts were actually short.”
After a brief but intense philosophical inquiry, we determine that “the day” can mean pretty much any time, especially in Vegas. Try it yourself:
Back in the day, the city was known as “The Meadows,” and rush-hour traffic was a breeze.
Back in the day, the Mormons ran this town, locals were treated with respect, and there was no crime.
Back in the day, our monorail was a Union Pacific steam locomotive, and that sucker was always full.
Back in the day, you could buy a 3-acre lot on the corner of Main and Fifth streets for $750.
Back in the day, brothels were legal but gambling was not.
Back in the day, the glorious excess of Vegas was embodied by a guy named Walter Liberace.
Back in the day, 16 flights a day at Alamo Airport was considered a busy schedule.
Back in the day, a Vegas Vacation was a quickie divorce.
Back in the day, the mob ran this town, locals were treated with respect and there was no crime.
Back in the day, the Rat Pack would have pistol-whipped any cast member of Cirque du Soleil.
Back in the day, a ticket to see Elvis cost $15.
Back in the day, Oscar Goodman roamed the streets without the company of showgirls.
Back in the day, a Fremont Street experience meant being approached by an aggressive street-walking entrepreneur.
Back in the day, the opening of the Mirage ushered in a new era for Las Vegas resorts.
Back in the day, people cried when the Sands toppled.
Back in the day, the idea of a water show outside a resort was preposterous.
Back in the day, the Stardust had a bright future.
Back in the day, the opening of Bellagio ushered in a new era for Las Vegas resorts.
Back in the day, George Clooney had big plans for a resort on Harmon Avenue.
Back in the day, the opening of Wynn Las Vegas ushered in a new era for Las Vegas resorts.
Back in the day, appearances at your hotel by Britney Spears, Tommy Lee and Kid Rock were considered a good thing.
Back in the day, we wondered when all the growth was going to stop—and what was going to stop it.
Back in the day, presidential candidates would gather to debate each other in Las Vegas.
Back in the day, we had this catchy phrase we’d use when waxing nostalgic. Can’t seem to recall that, at the moment ...