It's Monday again, and that means it's time to answer a question here on Fandom Grammar. Today we'll be dealing with lauramcewan's question, "Is 'case in point' or 'case and point' correct?" So if you're ready, let's jump behind the cut and find out with a little help from the characters of Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

The quick answer is that case in point is correct. Merriam-Webster cites the first use of this idiom in an earlier form, as in point, way back in 1647. This phrase likely comes to us from Anglo-Norman French's en pointe or en bon pointe.

In point fell out of favor, though, and showed up as case in point around the mid-1700s, possibly in legal cases. It refers to an example that is pertinent, relevant, or appropriate.

So when do you use this phrase? Whenever you want to bring attention to a particularly relevant example in an argument or discussion:

"I would like to reiterate the department's policy against open-toed footwear," Captain Holt said with a meaningful stare at Scully and the fluorescent green flip-flops he wore. They looked … gooey. Disturbingly gooey, even. And the smell wafting from Scully's toes was reminiscent of rotting cheese and rancid bologna. "Such footwear is dangerous and distracting. A case in point would be the beachwear on your feet, Scully."

"Oh, jeez, the stench," Jake gasped. "You're killin' me!" He tripped over a small garbage can trying to get out of the briefing room and landed flat on his face.

"As I was saying," Holt continued, "dangerous and distracting."

This is a pretty common idiom, so you should feel free to use it for many different characters, and you can remember that it's case in point by telling yourself that you're going to put an example in your argument (or your character's agument) to bolster your case or the point you're making.


Sources:
English Language and Usage Stack Exchange
Merriam-Webster
World Wide Words