That's neither here nor there
Meaning
The phrase indicates that something is irrelevant or unimportant to the current topic of discussion.
Origin
Imagine trying to pinpoint something that simply isn't there—not 'here' in this specific spot, and not 'there' in that other designated location. That's the simple, yet profound, spatial logic behind 'neither here nor there.' Emerging in English prose during the 18th century, this phrase quickly became a linguistic tool to dismiss trivialities. It gave speakers a concise way to declare an observation or argument utterly lacking in relevance, like a phantom object that can't be pinned down to any fixed point, and therefore holds no weight in the ongoing discussion. It’s a dismissal rooted in the very concept of non-existence within a given context, making it a powerful rhetorical shortcut for 'it doesn't matter.'
Examples
- Whether she likes the color blue is neither here nor there; we need to focus on the budget for the project.
- His personal opinions on the matter are neither here nor there; we must adhere to the company policy.