thereby hangs a tale

Idioms  

1. That detail or incident reminds one of another story, as in So he went without supper, but thereby hangs a tale. This expression, embodying the pun on tail and tale, was used by Shakespeare in at least four of his plays and presumably was well known before that. [1500s]

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Example Sentences

No, they did not, and thereby hangs a tale.

From Scientific American • Nov. 12, 2019

On the other hand, there are also the mysterious revolutions of luck, the wheel of chance – and thereby hangs a tale.

From The Guardian • Aug. 13, 2017

Ah yes," he beams, "and thereby hangs a tale.

From The Guardian • Jun. 15, 2013

U is for U.P.I., which told a story before it happened, and thereby hangs a tale.

From Time Magazine Archive

I'll say no more, but thereby hangs a tale.

From Dryden's Works Vol. 3 (of 18) Sir Martin Mar-All; The Tempest; An Evening's Love; Tyrannic Love by Dryden, John