so-and-so: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, conversational. Avoid in formal writing.
Quick answer
What does “so-and-so” mean?
A placeholder term for an unspecified person whose name is unknown, forgotten, deliberately omitted, or generic.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A placeholder term for an unspecified person whose name is unknown, forgotten, deliberately omitted, or generic.
Used to refer vaguely to a person, often when the speaker is being dismissive, disapproving, or when specifics are unimportant. Can sometimes imply mild annoyance or criticism towards the unnamed individual.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical in both varieties. Slightly more common in British English as a euphemistic substitute for a stronger term of disapproval (e.g., 'that bloody so-and-so').
Connotations
In both, implies the speaker knows the person but chooses not to name them, often out of irritation, secrecy, or casual disregard.
Frequency
Moderate and stable in informal speech. Not archaic but has a slightly old-fashioned feel for younger speakers.
Grammar
How to Use “so-and-so” in a Sentence
[Verb] so-and-soTell so-and-so [clause]Ask so-and-so [to-infinitive]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “so-and-so” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Go and tell so-and-so his car's blocking the drive.
- I wouldn't trust that so-and-so as far as I could throw him.
American English
- Tell so-and-so to meet us at the diner.
- That so-and-so cut me off in traffic!
adverb
British English
- N/A – not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A – not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A – not standardly used as an adjective.
American English
- N/A – not standardly used as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used humorously in informal talk to refer dismissively to a competitor or difficult client: 'We've got to submit the report before that so-and-so from Acme Corp.'
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Primary context. E.g., 'Tell so-and-so I'll be late.' or 'I saw old so-and-so at the shops yesterday.'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “so-and-so”
- Using it as an adjective (*'the so-and-so person').
- Using it in formal writing.
- Overusing it; it's a specific placeholder, not a general synonym for 'person'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost exclusively for people. For objects, terms like 'thingummy', 'whatsit', or 'thingamajig' are used.
It can be mildly dismissive or disrespectful, implying they are not important enough to be named properly. It often conveys annoyance. Context is key.
It is generally treated as uncountable/non-plural. You might say 'all the so-and-sos' in very informal speech, but 'so-and-sos' is not standard.
'Whatshisname' specifically indicates the speaker has forgotten the name. 'So-and-so' can be used when the name is forgotten, but also when it is deliberately withheld (e.g., out of contempt or secrecy).
A placeholder term for an unspecified person whose name is unknown, forgotten, deliberately omitted, or generic.
So-and-so is usually informal, conversational. avoid in formal writing. in register.
So-and-so: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsəʊ ən ˌsəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsoʊ ən ˌsoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Mr/Mrs/Ms So-and-so (used when vaguely recalling a name)”
- “You-know-who (similar function but more secretive)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of it as the verbal equivalent of '_____' in a form. It fills the blank for a name.
Conceptual Metaphor
NAMING IS SPECIFYING; therefore, NOT NAMING is VAGUENESS/DISAPPROVAL.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'so-and-so' LEAST appropriate?