He thought to himself

Posted by RRC on October 18, 2006

In Reply to: He thought to himself posted by R. Berg on October 17, 2006

: : : Does anyone know from where the nonsensical phrase "he thought to himself" came? Thanks. Jonathan

: : I don't know. It's just that there are some superfluous words. "He thought" says it all.

: I believe many people have independently invented the redundant expression "I thought to myself," rather than adopting it by viral contagion. Maybe, when thinking, they experience themselves as split into an inner speaker and an inner listener. You'd be hard put to find the first use. ~rb

It mirrors the perfectly logical "I said to myself". It's just done a bit more quietly.

• He thought to himself R. Berg 18/October/06
  • He thought to himself RRC 18/October/06
    • He thought to himself Jonathan 18/October/06
    • He thought to himself Jonathan 18/October/06
      • He thought to himself Smokey Stover 18/October/06
        • He thought to himself R. Berg 18/October/06
          • He thought to himself Smokey Stover 19/October/06
            • He thought to himself R. Berg 19/October/06
              • He thought to himself Jonathan 20/October/06
                • He thought to himself pamela 20/October/06
                  • He thought to himself Jonathan 20/October/06
                    • He thought to himself Smokey Stover 21/October/06
                      • He thought to himself Jonathan 23/October/06