Where did we get the phrase etc, etc, etc,?

Question

and what does it mean? and does anyone know what it stands for?

Answer 1

from some old guy

meaning is meaningless'

it's just one of those phrases that you use, and never question

Answer 2

Et cetera is a Latin expression that means "and other things", or "and so forth". It is taken directly from the Latin expression which literally means "and the rest (of such things)." Et means "and"; cetera (plural of ceterum/caeterum) means "the rest."

The one-word spelling "etcetera" is commonly used, and is accepted as correct by many dictionaries. It is also sometimes spelled et caetera or et cætera, and is often abbreviated to etc.. Archaic abbreviations, most commonly used in legislation, notations for mathematics or qualifications, include &/c., &c., and &ca..

The phrase et cetera is often used to represent the logical continuation of some sort of series of descriptions. For example, in the following expression...

We will need a lot of fruit: apples, bananas, oranges, etc.

... the 'etc.' stands for 'and other types of fruit'. It is an error to say or write "and etc." in which the word "and" would be redundant. This would translate as "and and the rest".

Answer 3

In my honest opinion I believe the phrase etc,etc,etc, came from someone who simply ran of thing's to say , or that they didn't know how to come out and say what they wanted to say ! And that my dear is where that phrase came from . As for myself I never use it. I just come out and say what I want to say.Life is to short,not to say what you need to say .And by the way ? I did enjoy my Holiday yesterday,and I hope you did as well.And I could never forget what that day is for.20 years in the Army and 3 combat tours I fully understand it .Enjoy your day !

Answer 4

"Et cetera" is a Latin expression meaning "and other similar things" (i.e. and so on and so forth). The origin in Latin is "et" (and) + "cetera" (the rest; neutral plural of "ceterus" meaning "left over").

For an Arts reference, the phrase "Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera!" is often spoken by the King of Siam in the musical "The King and I". Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Et cetera is a Latin expression that means "and other things", or "and so forth". It is taken directly from the Latin expression which literally means "and the rest (of such things)." Et means "and"; cetera (plural of ceterum/caeterum) means "the rest."

Answer 6

As explained above, "et cetera" means "and so on and so forth" so when we say "etc. etc. etc."  it's equivalent to saying "ad infinitum" (which we also sometimes say), which means "without limit", "forever".

Answer 7

Et cetera is latin - it means "and the rest". It should be pronounced Et Ketera as "c's" in latin are hard and in ancient Rome would have been pronounced as such.

New the latin I was taught at school would be useful one day.

Hope this helps and have a good day ;-)