We’ve all heard it in movies, songs, or casual conversations. “Ditto.” It’s a simple word, often tossed off as a quick agreement or a way to say “same here.” Think of Patrick Swayze in Ghost whispering “I love you,” and Demi Moore’s heartfelt reply, “Ditto.” Or perhaps you’ve encountered the term “dittoheads,” a moniker associated with fans of the late Rush Limbaugh. And for those with a longer memory, the “ditto machine” might conjure images of early office copying technology. But what does “ditto” truly mean? And where does this seemingly modern word actually come from?
While “ditto” might sound like a recent slang term, possibly derived from the function of a copy machine, its roots are surprisingly deep and far older than modern technology. The common assumption is that because a ditto machine creates copies, saying “ditto” is like creating a verbal copy of what was just said. However, the use of “ditto” to mean “what you said” predates the invention of the copy machine by centuries.
The origin of “ditto” can be traced back to the Italian language. It comes from the Italian word ditto, which is a variation of detto. Detto is the past participle of the Italian verb dire, meaning “to say.” Therefore, detto literally translates to “said.” In Italian, phrases like il ditto libro, meaning “the aforesaid book,” utilized ditto in a similar way to its early English usage.
English adopted “ditto” in the 17th century, primarily for practical purposes in accounting and commercial writing. Imagine lengthy lists where repeating dates or place names like “January 29” or “Newcastle upon Tyne” became tedious. To avoid redundancy, scribes began using “ditto” to indicate repetition of the previously mentioned item. This made lists more concise and efficient.
Over time, “ditto” gradually evolved beyond its function as a noun meaning “the aforesaid” or “the same.” An example from a 1759 cookbook, “Parsley roots, and leaves of ditto,” illustrates this noun usage. However, “ditto” transitioned into an adverb, taking on the meaning of “I agree with what you just said.” This adverbial form is the “ditto” we commonly use today.
But the power of “ditto” extends beyond simple agreement. Consider the Ghost example again. If Demi Moore’s character had responded to “I love you” with “Agreed” or “I concur,” it would have sounded strangely detached, as if she were merely acknowledging the statement of fact that he loved her. It lacks the emotional resonance of “Ditto.” What she truly conveys with “Ditto” is not just agreement, but a reciprocal declaration: “I hereby say the same to you.” “Ditto” retains the essence of “saying,” performing an act of verbal affirmation by echoing the words already spoken. It’s a concise yet powerful way to express not just agreement, but reciprocation and shared sentiment.
