Definition of the above

The phrase "the above" is used as a reference to a preceding text or set of information. It originated in legal and administrative documents as a way to refer back to previously mentioned items without having to repeat them. In the past, legal documents were often written by hand, and space was at a premium. To save paper and time, lawyers and administrators developed shorthand and boilerplate language to simplify the process of drafting documents. "The above" is a type of shorthand that has become widely accepted in legal and administrative contexts. The first known use of this phrase in English can be traced back to the mid-19th century. It gained popularity as a way to avoid repetition and make documents more concise. Over time, "the above" has also become a common phrase in other contexts, such as technical writing, engineering, and business correspondence. Its meaning remains the same: to refer to information that has already been presented or discussed. In sum, "the above" is a short and convenient way to link back to previously mentioned items in a document, and it has its roots in the need for brevity and efficiency in legal and administrative contexts.