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>