So-and-So
/ˈsoʊ ən ˌsoʊ/noun
An unspecified or unnamed person, often one regarded with mild annoyance or contempt.
Did you know?So-and-so developed as a euphemistic way to refer to someone whose name was forgotten, unknown, or deliberately avoided—making omission itself part of the expression’s meaning.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*swā
“In this manner; thus; so”
Old English
OE
swā
“So, thus, in that way”
Middle English
ME
so
“In that manner; to such a degree”
18th Century
English
so-and-so
“A person whose name is unspecified, forgotten, or intentionally withheld”
Modern English
English
so-and-so
“An unnamed person, commonly with a mildly disparaging tone”