Where does “anyway” come from?
Anyway derives from English any and away, which came from Old English ǣniġ and Old English away respectively, ultimately tracing to Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European roots.
anyway (English): Regardless; anyhow; See anyhow and at least; Used...
Definitions
- Regardless; anyhow; See anyhow and at least; Used...
Ancestry of “anyway”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | Way | — |
| 2 | Middle English | way | — |
| 3 | Old English | weġ | way; path; way, road, path |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | weg | way, road |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | wēgaz | wave; sea |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | weǵʰ- | to bring; to transport |