Meaning of the English Idiom Elvis Has Left
the Building:
Elvis has left the building, unlike most idioms,
is of recent origin.
It does, of course, refer to Elvis Presley,
but since he is dead, it cannot refer to him
literally.
What does this common expression mean and
how did it come about?
When we say Elvis has left the building we
mean the show or event has come to an end.
It's a way of saying it's over, that’s it,
there’s no more, finito; or the fat lady
has sung or that’s all she wrote.
Usage of Idiom: It is sometimes used in its
fuller form, “Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis
has left the building.”
This idiomatic phrase is often used in a half-joking
way, usually to refer to endings that are
not at all as interesting as Elvis himself,
such as to refer to someone leaving a room,
even though the fact they have left is not
really noteworthy.
Like most idioms, it would be difficult to
guess what this expression meant by the words
used.
Elvis, after all, left the building permanently
many years ago.
So, how did it come to be used figuratively?
Origin of Idiom: The origin of the phrase
Elvis has left the building comes from actual
words spoken by a producer named Horace Logan
on December 15, 1956, in the days just before
Elvis became a superstar.
At a show called Lousiana Hayride in Shreveport,
Lousiana, over ten thousand kids had gathered
to see Elvis perform.
Elvis rocked for 45 minutes but the adoring
fans were hungry for more.
They stormed the stage and the exits, hoping
to get a few more moments with the King.
Horace, the producer, grabbed a microphone
and said pleadingly, “Please young people,
Elvis has left the building.
He has gotten in his car and driven away.”
Of course, the phrase did not pass into common
use just from that one instance.
Instead, “Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has
left the building,” became the closing announcement
for all of his future concerts.
And, Elvis being Elvis, everybody became familiar
with the line.
“Elvis has left the building” was used
for the last time at a concert on June 26,
1977, at Market Square Arena, Indianapolis,
after he sang 'Can’t Help Falling in Love.'
The Louisiana Hayride show, held at the Municipal
Auditorium in Shreveport was a live show that
was broadcast over the radio, and later on
television.
It was very important to Elvis’ early career,
along with many other famous artists, so it’s
no wonder that the line first spoken at the
Hayride was used at all of the King’s shows.
The street that the historic Municipal Auditorium
is located on is now called Elvis Presley
Boulevard.
