"All sundry" is a phrase often used to mean "everyone" or "everything indiscriminately." The spelling of this phrase is relatively straightforward, with "all" being spelled as it sounds, and "sundry" being spelled with a silent "d" at the end. Sundry is pronounced /ˈsʌndri/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with stress on the first syllable. It comes from the Old English word "syndrig," meaning separate or distinct, and has been in use since the 14th century.
"All and sundry" is an idiomatic phrase that is used to refer to every possible person or thing, without exception. It is often used to convey a sense of inclusiveness and comprehensiveness. The term "all" is a universal quantifier, indicating the entirety or complete set of individuals or objects being referenced. On the other hand, "sundry" is an adjective that means various or miscellaneous, representing a wide range of different items or persons.
When these two words are combined into the phrase "all and sundry," it emphasizes the idea of considering every single member of a group, or accounting for all possible options or scenarios. The phrase suggests a comprehensive approach in considering all individuals or things without disregarding anyone or leaving anything out.
For instance, in a statement like, "The products in the store are available to all and sundry," it signifies that the merchandise is accessible to every person, without exception, and caters to a diverse range of preferences and needs.
In summary, "all and sundry" is an idiomatic expression used to convey the inclusive and comprehensive nature of something, indicating that it applies to everyone or includes everything within a given context or situation.
The phrase "all and sundry" is derived from Old English and Middle English. The word "sundry" comes from the Old English word "syndrig", meaning separate or distinct. It is a combination of the Old English word "sunder", meaning separate, and the suffix "-ig", which denotes "characterized by".
The word "all" comes from the Old English word "eall", which indicates the whole or entirety of something. In Middle English, "eall" evolved into "all".
Together, "all and sundry" implies the inclusion of everyone and everything. It suggests a comprehensive and inclusive scope, encompassing every individual and every kind of thing.