Pronunciation: [ˈe͡ɪd͡ʒɪz ɐɡˈə͡ʊ] (IPA) 
The phrase "ages ago" is often used to refer to a distant time in the past. Its spelling reflects its pronunciation, with the vowel sound in "ages" represented by the IPA symbol [eɪ], the "g" pronounced with a hard [ɡ], and "ago" ending with the same sound as the "o" in "go" ([oʊ]). While it may seem like a simple phrase, understanding its phonetic makeup can aid in proper pronunciation and facilitate clear communication.
Ages ago is an idiomatic expression typically used in informal conversation to refer to a time long past, or a distant period in history, which is difficult to determine or quantify precisely. This phrase can be interpreted as a measure of time that is considerable and considerably remote. "Ages" in this context conveys a sense of extended duration, suggesting an era or epoch far removed from the present. "Ago" indicates that the referenced time has already transpired, emphasizing that it belongs to the distant past.
The expression "ages ago" can be employed in various contexts to convey a nostalgic or wistful tone, emphasizing the vastness of the time gap between the present moment and the event being discussed. It is often used when recounting anecdotes, legends, or historical events that occurred in antiquity, where precise dates may be uncertain but the sense of time's passage is undeniable. The phrase is also applied when referring to a distant memory or a forgotten period of personal history, functioning as a way to exemplify the irretrievability or fading recollection of the distant past.
In summary, "ages ago" is a colloquial and expressive term that signifies an extensive time ago, conveying a notion of immeasurable temporal distance from the present, usually utilized to evoke nostalgia or recollections of ancient times or forgotten memories.
The word "ages" in the phrase "ages ago" is derived from the Latin word "aetas", which means "age" or "lifetime". "Ago", on the other hand, is derived from the Old English word "agān", meaning "to pass away" or "to go by". When combined, "ages ago" refers to a time that passed by or went away a long time ago.
