By the way

Posted by ESC May 26, 2004In reply to By the way posted by JC on May 26, 2004

I've searched and cannot find the origin of the phrase "By the way". It's used so heavily that a search comes back with thousands of hits.

Can anyone clue me in?

Thanks...JC

I'm from the U.S. I've noticed that in British mysteries they sometimes say "any road" instead of "anyway." Which leads me to wonder if "way" in "by the way" means road.

Replies

By the way Henry 26/May/04
- By the bye Shae 26/May/04
  - By the bye Smokey Stover 27/May/04
    - By the bye R. Berg 27/May/04