as an aside

A

as an aside (idiomatic prepositional phrase)
/æz ən əˈsaɪd/

Meanings

• Said as an extra comment separate from the main topic.
• Mentioned briefly during a conversation or discussion.
• Used to add a small personal note or additional detail.
• Spoken in a side remark or short digression.

Synonyms: incidentally; by the way; parenthetically; on a side note; in passing; tangentially.

Example Sentences

1. as an aside, the editor mentioned that the magazine would soon change its design.
2. During the meeting, Michael said as an aside that the project had almost been canceled.
3. Emma added as an aside that her grandfather once owned the old theater downtown.
4. The professor remarked as an aside that the theory was originally unpopular.

Etymology and Origin

The phrase “as an aside” draws from the literal idea of something spoken or done to one side, away from the main action or conversation. The word “aside” itself entered English in the Middle English period, rooted in Old English elements meaning “on” or “to” the side. Over time, it evolved to describe a comment made privately or off the main topic.

Theatrical Roots

In drama, an “aside” refers to a character speaking directly to the audience or revealing inner thoughts while other characters on stage supposedly cannot hear. This device became prominent in English theater during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. Playwrights used it to share secrets, motivations, or ironic observations, building intimacy with viewers and advancing the plot. William Shakespeare employed asides frequently in works like Hamlet, Othello, and Romeo and Juliet, where characters like Iago or Hamlet mutter lines that expose their true feelings.

This stage technique provided the foundation for the modern idiomatic use. What started as a dramatic tool for breaking the fourth wall gradually extended into everyday language as a way to signal a brief, parenthetical remark.

First Appearance and Country of Origin

The idiom “as an aside” in its conversational sense—meaning a side comment or incidental note—first took shape in English-speaking contexts, likely in Britain. The core theatrical sense of “aside” appeared in print during the late 16th century in England, aligning with the rise of professional theater in London. The fuller phrase for offhand remarks developed later but remains tied to British literary traditions before spreading more widely.

Earliest Printed Records

The adverbial use of “aside” dates back to the 14th century. By the late 16th century, theatrical directions and dialogue featured it clearly. The noun form for a stage remark appears around the mid-18th century, with examples in dramatic texts. The exact conversational phrasing “as an aside” shows up in 18th- and 19th-century literature and correspondence, often introducing a digression or whispered note, reflecting how spoken habits from the stage entered written prose.

Interesting Facts and Notes

One fun aspect is how the phrase bridges high art and daily talk. What once revealed royal intrigue or villainous plots on stage now peppers meetings, emails, and casual chats. No major controversies surround it, but it highlights English’s love for borrowing from performance traditions. In some modern contexts, like films or TV that break the fourth wall (think Ferris Bueller), it echoes the original dramatic purpose. The expression remains versatile, signaling humility when adding an extra bit of info or gently steering a discussion sideways.

Overall, “as an aside” reminds us how language borrows from the stage to make ordinary talk feel a little more alive and layered. Its journey from Elizabethan playhouses to global English shows the enduring appeal of sharing thoughts just a step removed from the center spotlight.

Variants

• aside
• as a side note
• on a side note

Important

Last update: May 19, 2026 9:49 AM