sb., a. and adv. Also so and so.
A. sb. An indefinite phrase (= ‘such a thing, person, number,’ etc.) used in place of a more lengthy statement, or as a substitute for an expression or name not exactly remembered or not requiring to be explicitly stated.
(a) 1596. Spenser, F. Q., IV. vii. 2. So whylome didst thou to faire Florimel; And so and so to noble Britomart.
1727. De Foe, Syst. Magic, I. iv. (1840), 108. A deep sleep shall come upon you, and you shall dream so and so.
1740. Cheyne, Regimen, 330. That … he must trust or believe … so and so, and do so and so in consequence.
1831. Scott, Ct. Robt., xxix. If you persevere in your uncivil intention, I will do so and so.
1880. Muirhead, trans. Rules of Ulpian, xxiv. § 18. To that man … let my heir give so-and-so.
(b) 1833. M. Scott, Tom Cringle, ii. What’s his name of this, and so-and-so of t’other.
1855. Thackeray, Newcomes, lviii. His London Agents were Messrs. So-and-so.
1883. ‘Annie Thomas,’ Mod. Housewife, 88. I’ve left most of them for the next time; but the So-and-so’s … will be here.
(c) 1833. M. Scott, Tom Cringle, i. In the year one thousand eight hundred and so and so.
1861. T. A. Trollope, La Beata, I. i. 2. Number so-and-so in such-and-such a street.
1866. Ruskin, Crown Wild Olive (1873), 46. Divine service will be ‘performed’ … at so-and-so o’clock.
B. adj. Paltry, worthless; indifferent; poor in health or circumstances; so-so. Now dial.
1655–6. Desborough, in Thurloe Papers, IV. 396. I … acquainted him that such of his brethren … were so and so, and desired him … to advise them tacitly to resign.
1756. Toldervy, Hist. 2 Orphans, I. 119. You see … that I am your best friend still, though to be sure you are but so and so. Ibid., 131. You know the Doctor died but so and so, as to circumstances.
1883. Almondbury Gloss., 124. So and so, used for so so, paltry, feeble.
C. adv. 1. To a certain number or degree.
1631. Gouge, God’s Arrows, I. xxix. 44. Papists … mumbling over so and so many times the Creed.
2. In a certain manner or way.
1653. W. Ramesey, Astrol. Restored (1654), To Rdr. 12. Thinking he might have improved it so and so, much better.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., 420. Vertue and Vice are nothing else but the Soul so and so affected or modified.
1726. Butler, Serm. Rolls Chap., vii. 133. Things were so and so circumstantiated. Ibid. (1736), Anal., I. ii. Forewarning us … that if we act so and so, we shall have such enjoyments.
3. With only moderate prosperity, success, etc.
1844. Ballantine, Miller of Deanhaugh, ii. 41. ‘How’s the coal trade gaun on?’ ‘Just so and so.’
