# now then...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-then/6423>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 13, 2000, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-then/6423 "2000-01-13T17:25:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2000, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-then/6423/1 "2000-01-13T17:25:00Z")

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What the hell is **now then** anyway?! Sure sure sure, I _know_ what it means and when to use it, and know that it is a transition, but…but… what the hell does it _mean_? Now? Then? WHEN?! How did it come about as an expression? Does it make sense in the same way the park./drive-way thing does?

## I am really sorry if this has been done many times before, or if this is considered one of _those_ questions. I have never seen it explained before, but if it has, you may point me in the direction with a great whallop of the ‘gry’-stick. Thanks!

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

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**Author:** ![NanoByte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecc23a/32.png) [@NanoByte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NanoByte)\
**Post date:** [January 14, 2000, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-then/6423/2 "2000-01-14T10:15:00Z")

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I don’t know how this adverbial phrase arose, but I think it is constructed rather literally:

1. ‘Now’ is used in its only common meaning, the present time, in reference to the time of validity of the following phrase.

2. ‘Then’, here, is not used in reference to a past time, of course; it is used in its consequential sense – the ‘if-then’ sense.

IOW, I think it means ‘If we now get back to the crux of the matter, then. . .’

Ray (So then, now?)

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**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2000, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-then/6423/3 "2000-01-15T00:28:00Z")

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How 'bout “as well”, meankng “too”. “Would the rest of you like coffee as well?”  
Peace,  
mangeorge

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I only know two things;  
I know what I need to know  
And  
I know what I want to know  
Mangeorge, 2000

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**Author:** ![mr\_john](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@mr\_john](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr_john)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2000, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-then/6423/4 "2000-01-22T00:20:00Z")

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Well then,Man, how about " Now then,would the rest of you like coffee as well?" As well as ," Would you like coffee as then?" Now as we can see these have two different meanings. I looked up ‘well’ and found 15 definitions. Now,as then, I see that any of them can be used in your phrase. Then,as now,I saw that each gave its own subtle change in meaning. “Now”,then had 6 definitions on of which is “under the present circumstances.” Well,Nano, I think that is the sense that is meant here, not “present time” It makes more sense then. tho the ‘time’ sense works as well. I didn’t want to type out all the meanings either phrase could have,then,well,I figured it just wasn’t important as well. Well, as you can see, I am being facetious as well as pedantic. I will stop then, now, as well then as I should.

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“Pardon me while I have a strange interlude.”-Marx