and so it goes...

Factual Questions
1

Was Vonnegut the first to use the phrase? If not, did it have its current meaning before SV5? Just wondering. Thanks.

Once in a while you can get shown the light
in the strangest of places
if you look at it right…

2

I’ve always been under the impression that it was a Vonngut creation, part of his fatalistic philosophy. I never liked the fact that Linda Elerby(sp?) ripped off the line for her sign-off when she was a news anchor.

BTW, what’s SV5? Do you mean SH5; shorthand for Slaughterhouse Five?

3

Harlan Ellison used it in “Repent, Harlequin!” Said the Ticktock Man

As nearly as I recall, it went something like this:

Something like that. Good story. You should read it.

4

Linda Ellerbee ripped it off of Lloyd Dobbins (sp?) Lloyd was the anchor of “Weekend,” the superb newsmagazine that ran in the SNL timeslot once a month in 1975-76-maybe 77. “Weekend Update” actually pays homage to that wonderful show.

Lloyd Dobbins was the finest TV anchorman who ever worked. Linda Ellerbee was little more than Lloyd Dobbins in drag.

None of which is to imply that the phrase was in any way original with Dobbins.

“The dawn of a new era is felt and not measured.” Walter Lord

5

Maybe one of the OED people can verify this but I believe the phrase was in existence long before Vonnegut was firebombed in Dresden.

It’s certainly true that Vonnegut popularized it, but that’s not the same as inventing it.

he sleeps on that pile/of newspapers/in the corner/and when he
takes off his/shoes you cannot/smell his breath
“king nicky”, archyology
Don Marquis

6

I wonder if you’re all aware Mr. Vonnegut was seriously injured in a fire at his home this past “Superbowl” Sunday?

I also wondered at the coincidence of this tragic event with the February 13-14th 45th anniversary of the firebombing at Dresden… Vonnegut was hospitalized with smoke inhalation. Poo-tee-weet?

7

…and so it goes…

8

Now that was a prime karass, Nick! :slight_smile:

9

Vonnegut wrote “So it goes”, not “and so it goes”.

what is essential is invisible to the eye -the fox

10

[bold]Kilgore[/bold],
How nice to have the definitive Vonnegutian render an opinion.
Renee