1
general::
Phrase(s): by the way [and] by the by
1. a phrase indicating that the speaker is adding information. (By the by is not as frequent.) • Tom: Is this one any good? Clerk: This is the largest and, by the way, the most expensive one we have in stock. • Bill: I’m a realtor. Is your house for sale? Alice: My house is not for sale, and, by the way, I too am a realtor. 2. a phrase indicating that the speaker is casually opening a new subject. • Bill: Oh, by the way, Fred, do you still have that hammer you borrowed from me? Fred: I’ll check. I thought I gave it back. • Jane: By the by, don’t you owe me some money? Sue: Who, me?
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. In passing, incidentally, as in She's my wife's cousin, and by the way, a good friend. [Mid-1500s] 2. Parenthetically, in addition, as in We saw Mary last week, and by the way, did Tom call you? [Early 1600s]
American Heritage Idioms