In so many words

Posted by Smokey Stover on March 18, 2005

In Reply to: In so may words posted by Fred on March 18, 2005

: : What does the phrase "in so many words" mean

: by innuendo

I have always heard "in so many words" as having the sense of "exactly, explicity, without the least vagueness." Evidently this is what the editors of the OED think, as well: "b. in so many words (tr. L. totidem verbis, cf. So 37d): lit. in precisely that number of words; in those very words; also, {dagger}word for word." SS

• In so many words Smokey Stover 18/March/05
  • In so many words Fred 18/March/05
    • In so many words Steve E 18/March/05