What is "every now and then"

Every \Ev"er*y\, a. & a. pron. [OE. everich, everilk; AS.

1. All the parts which compose a whole collection or aggregate number, considered in their individuality, all taken separately one by one, out of an indefinite number.

   Every man at his best state is altogether vanity.
   --Ps. xxxix. 5.

   Every door and window was adorned with wreaths of flowers.
   --Macaulay.

2. Every one. Cf. Each. [Obs.] ``Every of your wishes.''
   --Shak.

   Daily occasions given to every of us.
   --Hooker.

   Every each, every one. [Obs.] ``Every each of them hath some vices.''
   --Burton..

   Every now and then, at short intervals; occasionally; repeatedly; frequently. [Colloq.]

   Note: Every may, by way of emphasis, precede the article the with a superlative adjective; as, every, the least variation.
   --Locke.

   Syn: Every, Each, Any.

   Usage: Any denotes one, or some, taken indifferently from the individuals which compose a class. Every differs from each in giving less prominence to the selection of the individual. Each relates to two or more individuals of a class. It refers definitely to every one of them, denoting that they are considered separately, one by one, all being included; as, each soldier was receiving a dollar per day. Every relates to more than two and brings into greater prominence the notion that not one of all considered is excepted; as, every soldier was on service, except the cavalry, that is, all the soldiers, etc.

   In each division there were four pentecosties, in every pentecosty four enomoties, and of each enomoty there fought in the front rank four [soldiers].
   --Jowett (Thucyd. ).

   If society is to be kept together and the children of Adam to be saved from setting up each for himself with every one else his foe.
   --J. H. Newman.

adv. occasionally; "every so often she visits her father" [syn: every so often]

Every Now and Then may refer to:

• "Every Now and Then", a 1935 popular song written by Al Sherman, Al Lewis and Abner Silver
• "Every Now and Then", a song by Garth Brooks from The Chase
• "Every Now and Then", a song by Earth, Wind and Fire from Touch the World
• "Every Now and Then", a song by Girls Aloud from the greatest hits album Ten
• "Every Now and Then", a song by the Noisettes from Wild Young Hearts
• Every Now and Then: Songs of Townes Van Zandt & Blaze Foley, an album by Blaze Foley, or the title song
• "Every Now and Then", a song by Santana from Dance of the Rainbow Serpent