Anyhow
/ˈɛniˌhaʊ/noun
Used to mean “anyway,” “in any case,” or “by any means.”
Did you know?Unlike words with ancient occult roots, “anyhow” is a plain English compound that became a powerful discourse marker for shrugging off fate, objections, or uncertainty.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
ænig
“any, one, some”
Old English
OE
hū
“how, in what way”
Middle English
ME
any how
“in any manner; by any means”
16th Century
English
anyhow
“in any case; somehow; regardless”
Modern English
English
anyhow
“in any case; anyway; used to change the subject or dismiss a point”