I would like to know what's the meaning and in which situations would one use the expression "Enter [somebody]", like "we were trying to find a solution. Enter John".
Tell me more
×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for
linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
|
|
||||
|
|
That's from stage directions for plays. "Enter [Name]" and "Exit [Name]" are commonly used to indicate when a player is entering or leaving the scene. Naturally, it's been incorporated into the language to achieve a dramatic effect, and has come to be used when the speaker or writer wants to achieve a bold announcement, especially in titles. Cf. Enter the Dragon, etc. |
|||||||||||||||
|
|
In the example you gave, the phrase Enter John, is another way of saying "this is where John comes in (to the story)." It also implies that John was the solution to the problem, or that he figured out the solution. So Enter [somebody] (stage direction shorthand as mentioned) is often used in conversation to indicate coincidental, surprising, or opportune timing. |
|||
|
|
protected by RegDwighт♦ Mar 18 '12 at 16:31
This question is protected to prevent "thanks!", "me too!", or spam answers by new users. To answer it, you must have earned at least 10 reputation on this site.
