Where does “anyhow” come from?
Anyhow derives from Middle English anihow, combining any with how, which comes from Old English hū, ultimately tracing through Proto-Germanic hanhaz and Frankish hauwan to Proto-Indo-European roots.
anyhow (English): In any way or manner whatever; In any case. Used...
Definitions
- In any way or manner whatever; In any case. Used...
Ancestry of “anyhow”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | how | To what degree; In what manner; In what state |
| 2 | Middle English | how | — |
| 3 | Old English | hū | how |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | hwō | how, with what, by what means; instrumental of... |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | *kʷís | — |