"and what not"

What is the meaning of the phrase "and what not". I hear people using it all of the time to end sentances but I do not understand the meaning.

whatnot
Main Entry: 1what·not
Pronunciation: 'hwät-"nät, 'wät-, '(h)w&t-
Function: pronoun
Etymology: what not?

any of various other things that might also be mentioned. Paper clips, pins, and whatnot.

Grammatically I think the phrase "what not" may have begun as an answer to the unspoken question "what?" or "what else?" namely, "what not?" You are aware, I imagine, that the word whatnot is sometimes used for a small piece of furniture often hung in a corner with shelves for "what all." SS