A WEIRD SPANISH EXPRESSION

The Spanish idiomatic expression "De toda la vida", which can be paralleled in English as "from (since) the year dot (one), a lifelong, all-time, since forever, for as long as one can remember, long-standing", assumes that a "vida" is a very long time, whatever that may mean, and many idioms are using that word. I find it peculiar because the word "life" is a very vague term. 

 

Es president de toda la vida He is been president since the year dot / Somos amigos de toda la vida We have been all-time friends / Es una costumbre que tienen de toda la via It’s a long-standing custom they have

— “Se conocen de toda la vida.” La Voz de Galicia, 1991. Esp. || “… el país no puede estar lleno de demócratas de toda la vida.” La Vanguardia, 02/07/1995. Esp.