HOW COME Meaning and
Definition
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"How come" is an idiomatic expression used in informal speech, typically in casual conversations, to inquire about or express surprise or confusion regarding a particular situation, event, or circumstance. It is often used to seek an explanation or reason for something that may seem unexpected or does not align with one's expectations.
The phrase "how come" is primarily used in interrogative sentences to ask why or how a certain thing has happened or come to be. It seeks clarification or justification for a given situation, seeking an explanation or reason that may not be immediately apparent. It is frequently used in place of the more formal "why." For example, one might ask, "How come the train is late today?" or "How come you didn't attend the event?"
The term is comprised of the adverb "how" and the verb "come" used in the sense of "occur, happen, or arise." It is believed to have originated as a shortened form of the longer phrase, "how did it come about," and has become a common colloquialism in everyday speech.
As it is an informal expression, "how come" is typically used in relaxed or casual contexts, such as among friends, family, or acquaintances. It may be considered inappropriate or overly familiar in more formal or professional settings.
Top Common Misspellings for HOW COME *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for HOW COME
- gow come
- bow come
- now come
- jow come
- uow come
- yow come
- hiw come
- hkw come
- hlw come
- hpw come
- h0w come
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- hoq come
- hoa come
- hos come
- hoe come
- ho3 come
- ho2 come
- how xome
Etymology of HOW COME
The phrase "how come" is an idiomatic expression commonly used to inquire or express surprise about a specific situation or outcome. The etymology of "how come" is relatively straightforward.
The phrase evolved from the Middle English term "how come ye?" This usage can be traced back to the late 15th century, where "how" meant "in what way" and "come" meant "become". Consequently, the phrase "how come ye?" essentially meant "in what manner have you become (like this)?" or "how did this situation come about?"
Over time, the phrase was shortened to simply "how come" in order to express the same notion of questioning the cause or reason behind something. The shortened form gained popularity and usage in American English during the mid-19th century and has remained a common expression ever since.
Idioms with the word HOW COME
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how come? 2
"How come?" is an informal way of asking why something happened or is the way it is. It is typically used to express surprise, confusion, or disbelief.
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how come? 1
"How come?" is an informal expression used to ask for an explanation or reason for something. It is often used when someone is surprised or confused about a situation and wants more information.
Similar spelling words for HOW COME
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