Eventually; at some point in the future, though the exact timing is uncertain. It expresses the inevitability of something happening without specifying when.
This phrase has been in use since the 14th century, combining two comparative forms of 'soon' to cover all possible timeframes. It reflects the human need to acknowledge uncertainty while maintaining confidence that an outcome will occur.
This phrase is a linguistic hedge that helps us deal with uncertainty while maintaining optimism or warning. It's psychologically comforting because it allows us to predict outcomes without the pressure of being precisely right about timing, which explains why it's remained popular for over 600 years.
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