and so forth: Idiom Meaning and Origin

The idiom "and so forth" is commonly used in spoken and written English to indicate that there are additional unspecified things or details related to the ones already mentioned. It helps avoid repetition and provides a sense of continuation in a list or series of items, actions, or ideas. The phrase has a long history and has been in use for several centuries, evolving from older forms and expressions.

The origins of the idiom can be traced back to the Middle English period, where it was used as a translation of the Latin phrase "et cetera" or "etc.", which means "and the others" or "and the rest." This Latin expression was commonly used in medieval manuscripts and writings to abbreviate a list of additional items or examples. Over time, "and so forth" became the English equivalent and gained popularity.

In contemporary usage, "and so forth" serves as a shorthand way to indicate that there are more things that could be mentioned but are unnecessary to specify. It implies that the audience or reader can infer the general meaning or purpose of the omitted items based on the context and the ones mentioned explicitly.

Furthermore, "and so forth" is a versatile idiom that can be used in various contexts and grammatical constructions. It can be used as a stand-alone phrase at the end of a sentence or integrated within a longer sentence, typically preceded by a comma. For example, one might say, "She loves to travel, visit museums, go hiking, and so forth." In this case, the idiom denotes that there are additional activities similar to those mentioned.

Despite its frequent use and widespread familiarity, "and so forth" is considered informal and is often avoided in formal or academic writing. Instead, alternative expressions such as "and more," "and similar items," or "and others" are preferred for greater clarity and precision. Nevertheless, in everyday conversation, informal writing, and certain genres or contexts, the idiom continues to be used regularly.

The idioms "and all this" and "for that matter" are related to the idiom "and so forth" in that they also indicate the presence of additional unspecified elements. "And all this" is used to refer to the things already mentioned and everything else related to it. For example, one might say, "He has a collection of books, CDs, and all this." Here, "and all this" encompasses other items similar to books and CDs, such as magazines or vinyl records.

Similarly, "for that matter" is used to mean "and anything else connected to the matter being discussed." For instance, one might say, "She loves Italian food, Mexican food, and pizza, for that matter." In this case, "for that matter" extends the list of food preferences beyond Italian and Mexican to include any other types of food that may be related.

These idioms, like "and so forth," provide a way to convey the idea of additional elements without explicitly enumerating them. They create a sense of inclusiveness and encourage the audience or reader to consider the possibilities of what could be included in the omitted items. By using these idioms, speakers and writers can make their statements more concise and maintain a friendly and informal tone.