"Please, young people . . . Elvis has left the building. He has gotten in his car and driven away. . . . Please take your seats." - Horace Logan, 12/1956
although the phrase was routinely used to encourage the audience to leave, the first time that it was announced it was to encourage them to stay in their seats
"Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building. Thank you and goodnight." - Al Dvorin, 1970s
Enthymeme of its original use:
Major premise: "Elvis has left the building" (there is no show outside of your seats any longer)
Minor premise: "The hayride will continue" (more show will continue in your seats)
Conclusion: "if you would like to sit down now, we are going to go on with the show here in just about five minutes" (please stop standing, and sit down)
Good research on this small phrase. You presented the whole scenario and the reasoning behind it. Nice touch with the visuals too.
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