and so on and so forth
Meaning
This phrase is used to indicate that a list or process continues in a similar manner, implying that further examples or steps are unnecessary to mention explicitly.
Origin
This phrase effectively combines two similar expressions, "and so on" and "and so forth," which both convey the idea of continuation. "So on" traces its roots back to the 14th century, used to signify 'further in the same manner' or 'and the rest.' "So forth" has an even older lineage, appearing in Old English as 'swa forth' with a similar meaning of 'forward' or 'continuing.' The practice of coupling these kinds of redundant but emphatic phrases, known as a 'hendiadys' or simply a rhetorical doubling, became common in English to add weight and completeness to an idea, ensuring the listener understood that the list or concept was extensive and open-ended. Over centuries, these two distinct but related expressions naturally merged into their familiar tandem, emphasizing the exhaustive nature of an implied list without actually enumerating every item.
Examples
- The recipe requires chopping vegetables, sautéing them, adding broth, and so on and so forth, until the stew is ready.
- He rambled about his day, detailing his commute, his meetings, his coffee breaks, and so on and so forth, for what felt like hours.