AboutCarol Pozefsky Expertise Etymology: The origins of English words and phrases.
Anchor/Reporter NBC and CBS Networks. News Director 3 Regional Radio Stations.
Question Hi and congratulations for your work. I am trying to find out the origin of the expression "low and below" or "lo and below" and the real meaning.
Thank you
Answer Hello, I hope you're having a fine week,
Could it be that the expression you're interested in is "lo and behold"? We find the following etymology for "lo and behold":
The 'lo' from the expression likely originated from the shortening of the word 'loke' commonly seen in early English texts. Loke was an early word for 'look' Its presence in literature can be traced back to the 1800's.
Behold is a synomym for 'look' so the expression is a redundancy Literally "lo and behold" means Look and Look". the words probably chosen for greater emphasis.
The best to you always, CP
