et cetera

   (etc.)

   "Thousands competed, thousands watched, and thousands also observed-volunteers all of them-who only pinned numbers, massaged muscles, supplied water, charted positions, screamed encouragement, etc." (Los Angeles Times). In lexicography and other types of technical writing, etc. has its place. But in newspapers and magazines its use can suggest that the writer didn't know what else he meant or, as in the foregoing example, was too lazy to tell us. Generally it is better avoided.