in the before/in the after

[besthost]

What's the difference between "before" and "in the before" and analogously with "after" ?

Could anyone show me them used in context?

[pyoung]

I am not familiar with the phrase 'in the before'. Can you give an example of its use?

Thanks,

Petra

[besthost]

I heard it said in one of the recent episodes of Grey's Anatomy.

Maybe someone said it having something else in mind (a noun described by "before") e.g. in the before time

Could that be possible?
Thanks.

[pyoung]

Yes, that could be possible. Also possible is that it is a new expression meaning something like "in the universe of 'before'". Expressing more than just before in its traditional sense of preposition, it may be used to mean "In my whole experience of the past" or "taking into account everything that made up the situation before" whatever is being discussed.

I searched the phrase on the Internet and discovered a comic strip called "In the Before" and a blog that used the phrase in its title.

It could have come from the use of 'before' and 'after' pictures that are used to compare how a person looked before losing weight or having hair implants or buying a new set of clothes, etc. and how they look after such a change.

Perhaps someone more familiar with the phrase will post a reply...

All best wishes,
Petra