The phrase "in other words" is used to clarify or rephrase something that has been said, making it easier to understand or emphasizing a particular point. It serves as an introduction to a paraphrase or an explanation that simplifies complex ideas.
The phrase "in other words" combines the word "in" (from Old English "in," meaning "inside, within"), "other" (from Old English "ōþer," meaning "different or additional"), and "words" (from Old English "word," meaning "a unit of language"). The expression has evolved to signify a clarification or reinterpretation of previously stated information.