Where does “howso” come from?

howso (English) comes from English so, from Middle English zuo, from Old English swē, from Old English swā, from Proto-West Germanic swā, from Proto-Germanic swa, from Proto-Germanic swē, from Proto-Indo-European swē — self (reflexive pronoun).

howso (English): However, in whatever manner; However, to whatever...

Definitions

  1. However, in whatever manner; However, to whatever...

Ancestry of “howso”, step by step

howso traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English so

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsoReduced form of 'so that', used to express...
2Middle Englishzuoso
3Old Englishswēso, as, the same, such, that
4Old Englishswāso
5Proto-West Germanicswāso, thus, in this manner; like, similar to; just...
6Proto-Germanicswaso, thus, in this manner
7Proto-Germanicswēlike, similar to; just like, in the same manner...
8Proto-Indo-Europeanswēself (reflexive pronoun)

via English how

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishhowTo what degree; In what manner; In what state
2Middle Englishhowhow
3Old Englishhow
4Proto-Germanichwōhow, with what, by what means; instrumental of...
5Proto-Indo-European*kʷís
Every word from Proto-Indo-European swē