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Joined: Oct 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
last night, at my aerobics class, the instructor claimed no one under the age of ....well a certain age, knew the phrase to and fro, and the youngsters only know back and forth--
So what is your experience? (especially the younger posters, please!) Do you move things to and fro? or just back and forth?
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 122
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 122 |
if i only had such experience... 
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 261
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 261 |
I've always used both, but I guess I've always used back and forth more amongst friends and to and fro in writing and poetry.
Interesting point!
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
you went back and forth on how many times to post that, eh, bonz? 
formerly known as etaoin...
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 261
enthusiast
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enthusiast
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Posts: 261 |
I did what now? [shifty-e] My computer hiccuped...
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addict
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addict
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I dont see that there is any semantic difference between the two phrases. However, to me, the tone of each phrase and the visual imagery each one conveys are somehow different. 'To and fro' feels like the motion is light, flowing and mellifluous; whereas, 'back and forth' seems automatic, mechanical and methodical. Ballet versus a military drill perhaps!
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
I think that, while there may be a large area of overlap, there is a subtle difference between the two terms.
Back and forth has an air of reciprocating motion that is entirely lacking in to and fro and to and fro has a sort of randomness that I would never associate with back and forth.
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204 |
For me, "to and fro" usually connotes physical activity whereas "back and forth" is more likely to refer to mental/intellectual activity.
E.g.,
"I ran to and fro, from one house to the other."
"We debated the question back and forth for hours that night."
To some extent the two phrases are interchangeable, but I think I probably use them metaphorically when applied in a sense other than as stated above.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
all of the above.
formerly known as etaoin...
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661 |
I've used all, but more chance to use "to and from"... 'fro's' went out in the Mid 70's.
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