"So I says to myself" redux

[Benjamin Zimmer]

Quoting "James A. Landau" <JJJRLandau at AOL.COM>:
>
> In Gilbert and Sullivan's _Iolanthe_, first performed 1882, there is the
> Lord Chancellor's song:
>
> When I went to the Bar as a very young man
> (Said I to myself---said I)
> I'll work on a new and original plan
> (Said I to myself---said I)
> I'll never assume that a rogue or a thief
> Is a gentleman worthy implicit belief
> Because his attorney has sent me a brief,
> (Said I to myself---said I)
>
> which is not the phrase under discussion, but not too far from it,  either.

Covered in my latest Language Log post:

http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/002661.html


--Ben Zimmer