- Why . . . ? vs. Why is it that . . . ? - English Language Usage Stack . . .
Why not: I don't know why, but it seems to me Bob would sound a bit strange if he said, "Why is it that you have to get going?" Eliminating 'that' before 'Bob' would seem to be more in context with the criticism of the way Bob sounds This beside the point that "Why do you have to get going?" is more direct
- Origin of fag (meaning a cigarette in British English)
According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, it comes from "fag", meaning a loose piece of cloth: fag (n 1) Look up fag at Dictionary com British slang for "cigarette" (originally, especially, the butt of a smoked cigarette), 1888, probably from fag "loose piece, last remnant of cloth" (late 14c , as in fag-end "extreme end, loose piece," 1610s), which perhaps is related to fag (v ), which
- Why was Spook a slur used to refer to African Americans?
Why would a piece of music be written with first and second endings that are the same? If President Trump's claimed authority to impose tariffs is taken away, who gets the 50-60 billion collected? Pre-heating bicycle chain with fire
- Why is c*nt so much more derogatory in the US than the UK?
That's a very good question It certainly is offensive here in the US, and I'm not sure why it's considered so much worse than other "Anglo-Saxon" words I've used all of the other ones on occasion But in 52 years, I've used "cunt" anatomically only a handful of times, and I can't recall ever using it as a slang reference for a woman
- Why would you do that? - English Language Usage Stack Exchange
Why would you do that? is less about tenses and more about expressing a somewhat negative surprise or amazement, sometimes enhanced by adding ever: Why would you ever do that? It is in fact part of a conditional sentence in which the if clause is omitted but implied The implied part could be for example: If you were in your right mind,
- Where does the use of why as an interjection come from?
Why no, no more then reason The OED doesn't explain why it is used in that manner I can only speculate First it was just a question expressing doubt reduced to its essence: It is best that we negotiate a truce with Spain — Why is that so? I believe the Spanish armies cannot threaten us They will fail in their attempt to conquer England
- Using hundreds to express thousands: why, where, when?
Why change register half way through? [¶ Of course, even in the middle ages, educated professionals such as architects, military engineers and accountants would work to greater precision The Doomsday book (written in mediaeval Latin) has precise census numbers, but these are written in arabic numerals — they are not spelled out
- phrases - Why the for in And Ill tell you for why? - English . . .
for-why goes back to Old English times, over a thousand years ago It was preserved in dialects in the US South, but was originally from English dialects on the other side of the Atlantic It was preserved in dialects in the US South, but was originally from English dialects on the other side of the Atlantic
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