By the by
is not as frequent.) •Tom: Is this one any good? Clerk: This is the largest and, by the way, the most expensive one we have in stock.
•Bill: I'm a realtor. Is your house for sale? Alice: My house is not for sale, and, by the way, I too am a realtor.
2. a phrase indicating that the speaker is casually opening a new subject. •Bill: Oh, by the way, Fred, do you still have that hammer you borrowed from me? Fred: I'll check. I thought I gave it back.
•Jane: By the by, don't you owe me some money? Sue: Who, me?