# by the way

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/by-the-way
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Irrelevantly, off-topic.

## Examples

- By the way, do you have the time?
- We finished discussing the project, and by the way, did you remember to email the client?
- She finished her presentation with great confidence, and by the way, she mentioned that the team had already secured the necessary funding for the next phase.

## Origin

The expression first appeared in the 10th century, derived from the Old English *weġ*, denoting a road. In this earliest form, the phrase functioned as a literal description for an object or person situated by the side of the path. By circa 1000, the usage shifted slightly to describe events occurring during the course of one's journey, suggesting a brief pause in travel rather than a permanent roadside fixture. The figurative transition toward a conversational interruption began in the mid-16th century. The modern sense, functioning as a polite method for introducing a tangent or an incidental remark, was first recorded in 1614. It retains the ghost of its original travel metaphor, treating a new topic as a minor curiosity encountered while moving toward a different destination.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.