Meaning:
This conversation is finished. (Or I have finished talking and am not
waiting for your response.)
Background:
The phrase `over and out' dates back to the 1800s in accordance with the
development and use of radio transmission.
People would speak the word `over' to indicate that they have finished
speaking and are waiting for a response. Similarly, people would use the word
`out' to indicate that they have finished speaking, and that they do not
expect a reply.
As you may imagine, the use of this phrase has expanded to use beyond radio
transmission, and is still used in several mediums today, including on the
phone, on video calls, and in messaging apps and on internet chat rooms. In
terms of the gist of the phrase, it is sometimes likened to a mic drop.
- www.phrases.org.uk [edited]
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I remember 'over' and 'over and out' from the movie The Bank Job. Eddie worked
as a lookout on the roof opposite of Lloyds bank while the other thieves were
tunneling underneath toward its vault of safe deposit boxes. Their walkie-talkie
chat below tipped off a HAM radio operator nearby and that was how a bank
robbery was first suspected.
Eddie: When are you guys going to hit the vault?
I'm freezing my tits off up here.
Over.
Major: In the army, soldiers would pull on
their puds to keep their blood flowing.
Over.
Eddie: What regiment were you in,
the Royal Corps of Wankers?
Over.
Major: Yes, we welcome new members.
Roger. Over and out.
Another example in the same script:
Eddie: Nightjar, here. There's some fella looking through the window.
Oh, hang on. Wait, hang on, he's going. He's going.
Yeah, he's gone.
Over.
Major: Roger, Nightjar. Over and out.
'Roger' is to confirm receiving a message.
