Meaning of "by the way"

[Tung Quoc]

Dear teachers,

Please tell me the meaning of “by the way” in:
a.Oh, by the way, there is a telephone message for you.
b.Stop for a picnic by the way.

"By the way" in(a) and (b) have the same meaning?
Thanks
Quoc

[Alan]

Hi Quoc,

In (a) by the way suggests incidentally. By the way in (b) doesn't work for me. I would say on the way suggesting during the course of the trip/journey.
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English as a Second Language
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[Yankee]

Hi Quoc

Is "Stop for a picnic by the way" a sentence that your teacher dreamed up or did you dream it up yourself?
I agree with Alan --- this sentence sounds odd.

In addition to Alan's suggestion, you could also say "We stopped for a picnic along the way".

Amy