English Words and Their story: ‘Same Old Song and Dance’

Today, we talk about two activities that many people find really fun and one that makes them happy — singing and dancing!

So, why is the expression “same old song and dance” not at all related to fun or happiness? That is the question we will answer today.

The “same old song and dance” may sound like a great performance, something that you want to see over and over again. But it is not. Here, the “song and dance” is a repeated, tired, even predictable reaction to something. It is something we do or say over and over again for different reasons.

One online reference guide claims that Americans first began using this expression in the late 1800s.

Around that time, vaudeville was a popular form of show business in the United States. In a vaudeville show, performers sang, danced and acted in short, funny skits. Some shows even had animal acts.

Often, a vaudeville show would open with a song and some dancing. But it often was the same song and dance night after night.

And that is where we get the expression “same old song and dance.” Americans use this term in different situations and in each one, there is a slight change in meaning.

Here are some ways we use this expression.

Sometimes “the same old song and dance” can be an overused, weak excuse. It is something we say to others to explain bad behavior. But people have heard it so often that they do not believe it, nor do they care.

Listen for this expression in the following example involving two people in a work-place environment.

Now, sometimes the “same old song and dance” is used to mean someone is trying to trick you. Or, at least, they are only telling you part of the whole story.

For example, at every meeting, a business owner gives her employees the same old song and dance about the company’s great plans for the future. But then … nothing happens.

Sometimes the same old song and dance does not mean an excuse or a trick. Sometimes it is just a very long and complex story. Used this way, the speaker often wants to justify something. They want to convince the listener that their idea is a good one. But in this case, the listener does not really want or need to hear it.

Listen now to how the term “song and dance” is used to mean a very long, complex explanation.

At other times, “the same old song and dance” can mean a complex system which involves many steps, like a ritual or ceremony.

For example, let’s say your friend works for a terrible boss. Every time your friend wants to start a new project, he is required to explain the same steps over and over again.

Let’s hear how to use this expression.

And that’s all the time we have for Words and Their Stories. Have fun using the expression “the same old song and dance” or simply “song and dance.”

Until next time … I’m Anna Matteo.

Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. The song at the end is Aerosmith singing “Same Old Song and Dance.”

Words in This Story

skit – n. a short, funny story or performance

client – n. a person who pays a professional person or organization for services

justify – v. to provide or be a good reason for (something) : to prove or show (something) to be just, right, or reasonable

generous – adj. showing kindness and concern for others

ritual – n. always done in a particular situation and in the same way each time

boss – n. the person at a job who tells workers what to do

awful – adj. extremely bad or unpleasant

Story from Voa