"Back in the Day"

[Drew Danielson]

Margaret Lee wrote:
>
> "Back in the day" originated in the African-American community
> probably in the mid-80's.

It seems to me that "back in the day" may have grown out of the "back in
MY day" clichéd construction used by (and to represent ironically) an
older person admonishing a child for taking advantage of something
modern (e.g., technology, less strict social conventions), and in other
sorts of pointed reminiscing.