"SR" <srindler@da2.so-net.ne.jp> said:

>I wonder about the expression "by and by".
>My son's English book (Japanese high school) defines "by and by" as "pretty
>soon". I found this one
>in 2 dictionaries (Babylon Online) for example.
>However, it is also defined as "gradually", "eventually", or "it won't be
>long".
>
>The difference between "pretty soon" or "soon" and "gradually" is like day
>and night
>to my ears!
>The actor (Superman) got paralyzed when he fell from his horse. Since this
>tragedy happened several years ago, he has been improving by and by.
>Nobody would think that this means "pretty soon" or just "soon".
>What have the experts to say on this one?

I think someone should hot glue a pen to his nose
so he can fill out an organ donor card, and then
pull the plug on his iron lung and possibly even
crimp off his ventilator. 

He's a potted plant. He can't do-the-do, he needs
diapers, and he should do us all a favor and die.
I volunteer to shove his wheelchair down the
ancient stairs of Angkor Wat. 

So yes, I would agree that Superman will never be
super again. 

I hope that helped.


--
Bryan
http://www.trainerbryan.com/old_fjlij.html