Elvis has left the building

Meaning of the phrase:

Origin of the phrase:

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, left behind a legacy of music, television and movie appearances, concert appearances, and this well-known expression. Promoter Horace Logan first used this expression after an Elvis performance to convince concertgoers to not leave the building and attempt to see him, as he had already left the venue. He addressed the crowd on December 15, 1956:

“Alright, alright, Elvis has left the building. I’ve told you absolutely straight up to this point, you know that he has left the building; he left the stage and went out the back with the policeman and he is now gone from the building.”

Al Dvorin, concert organizer for Elvis, was reported to have used this phrase several times during the 1970s to placate the Presley’s fans. The expression may have first been used to keep fans in the building but was used thereafter to tell everyone that he was finished performing and had left the premises. Today the phrase is used to mean the event or show is over.

An example of its use in print can be found in the Rice Thresher, October 30, 1987:

“Before the Series, David Letterman led the way by suggesting some original home run calls on his Late Night show. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the Building!’ and ‘Yikes, I’m sitting in my own urine!’ were particular fan favorites.”