- Used to transition to a new topic that is directly related to or reminded by something just mentioned in the conversation.
Explanation
Origin
- It literally means Now that we are speaking about that specific thing (which refers back to the previously mentioned topic)....
- It signals a logical link or association between the previous statement and the one about to be made.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Oh yeah, that makes me think...
- Funny you should mention that... (Implies coincidence)
- Talkin' 'bout [topic], ...
Milder/Standard:
- That reminds me...
- On that note...
- Related to that...
Situational Appropriateness
- Appropriate for both informal and semi-formal conversations.
- It can sound slightly more structured than That reminds me..., so it fits well in discussions and meetings too.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Ensure the connection between the previous topic and the new one is clear. If the link is too obscure, the listener might be confused.
- Don't overuse it; finding connections for every transition can feel forced.
Examples
- I need to buy a new coat for winter. Speaking of which, have you seen the sale at the department store? (Winter coats -> Sale)
- John just got a new puppy. Speaking of which, do you know a good dog trainer? (Puppy -> Dog trainer)
- We should really finish that report soon. Speaking of which, did you get the latest figures from accounting? (Report -> Figures for the report)
Dialogue
Liam: I finally booked my flight to Italy for September!
Nora: Oh, fantastic! Italy is amazing. I went to Rome last year.
Liam: Nice! I'm still trying to figure out my itinerary.
Nora: Speaking of which, you should definitely visit Florence if you can. It was my favorite part.
Liam: Really? What did you like about it?
Social Media Examples
- Forum Reply: User A: Just bought a new electric car. User B: Awesome! Speaking of which, how are you finding the charging infrastructure in our city?
- Blog Comment: Great post about gardening! Speaking of which, do you have any tips for dealing with aphids?
- Tweet Thread: 1/3: Finished reading 'Project Hail Mary'. Incredible book! 2/3: Speaking of which, Andy Weir's writing style is just so engaging. 3/3: Highly recommend! #books #scifi
Response Patterns
- Acknowledgment of the link: Oh yeah?, Right., Good point.
- Direct response to the new, related topic: No, I haven't! Is it any good?, Yes, my neighbour used a great one, let me find the number., Not yet, I was about to email them.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- The listener responds to the specific question or statement introduced after Speaking of which....
- The conversation then naturally flows into this related sub-topic.
- Example: After ...Speaking of which, have you seen the sale at the department store?, the listener might ask Which department store? or state Yeah, I went yesterday!.
Conversation Starter
- No. It explicitly requires a preceding topic to refer back to. It's a transitional phrase within a conversation.
Intonation
- Often said with a thoughtful or connecting tone.
- Stress usually falls on Speaking and which: SPEAKING of WHICH....
- There's often a slight pause after the phrase before introducing the related topic.
Generation Differences
- Used commonly across most adult generations. Less common in very casual teen slang.
Regional Variations
- Standard and widely understood in all major English-speaking regions.