💫 As It Happened: The Serendipity of Life 💫
Definition
“As it happened” is a phrase commonly used to indicate an outcome or a series of events, reflecting either serendipitous good luck or unfortunate bad luck. It’s an elegant verbal shrug, employed to elucidate the unfolding of events beyond our control.
Origins
The phrase harks back to the times of Shakespeare, that master of eloquence and wit, who used it in his play The Merry Wives of Windsor (3.5) to denote fortunate circumstances. Don Quixote’s translator, Thomas Shelton, also employed it around the same period to indicate bad luck.
Synonyms
- Coincidentally
- By chance
- As fate would have it
- Unexpectedly
- Happened to be
Antonyms
- Preplanned
- Deliberately
- Intentionally
- With foresight
- Thought-out
Common Phrases
- “As luck would have it”
- “It so happened”
- “Wouldn’t you know”
- “As the story goes”
- “By the way things turned out”
Thought to Ponder
“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” — John Lennon
Literature, Songs & Movies
- Literature: The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare – where every twist of fate brings both humor and insight.
- Songs: “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane – celebrating life’s unpredictable journey.
- Movies: Forrest Gump – portraying life’s unexpected adventures with the ever-reliable “It happens.”
Light-hearted Example
Imagine this: expecting a calm, sunny day for your picnic and as it happens, a cloudburst ensues. If life hands you a soaking, grab your rubber ducky and make a splash!
Introducing…
“As it happened”, we journey through times both past and present, reveling in the linguistic twists of fate. May we greet each unexpected turn with a Shakespearean flair! Each phrase we vet and every cliché we explore offers a delightful glimpse into the ad-libbed play that is life itself. ✨
Yours in curiosity,
S. Y. Serendipity
October 7, 2023
