Date: Wed, 1 Oct 1997 09:50:59 -0400

From: Jesse T Sheidlower jester[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]PANIX.COM

Subject: Re: yadda, yadda, yadda



I'm seeing this term showing up in print a lot since "Seinfeld" did a whole

show around it. Was this a common term before that episode? Is my

perception about its expanded use one that is shared by others. Here's a

quote employing the term from a list that I'm on--if anyone wants the exact

citation, I'll get it.



In my impression it really started to surge about two to four

years ago; the _Seinfeld_ example capitalized on an existing

trend rather than started one. It has, however, been around

for quite a while; we have examples of similar forms (e.g.

"yaddada yaddada") to the 1940s if not earlier.



Jesse Sheidlower

jester[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]panix.com