By the same token

Posted by ESC on July 01, 2004

In Reply to: By the same token posted by Peter on July 01, 2004

: Does anyone know where or what this meaningless phrase originated from ? It is used all the time in all levels of society, but if asked for the origin, nobody knows!

BY THE SAME TOKEN - "For the same reason; in the same vein. This is 'token' in a vague application of its meaning as a sign or evidence, enabling the recipient to associate one thing with another. The phrase was in use by the 15th century, Shakespeare has it in 'Troilus and Cressida.'." From The Dictionary of Cliches by James Rogers (Ballantine Books, New York, 1985).