what not: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What not is an idiomatic phrase that has been used in the English language for many centuries. It is commonly used in both spoken and written English and has a flexible nature that allows it to be used in various contexts.

One interesting fact about the idiom what not is that it indicates the existence of other unspecified things related to the subject being discussed. It suggests that there are additional examples, options, or items that could be included in the discussion but are not specifically mentioned. For example, if someone says, "I need to buy groceries like bread, milk, and what not," they are implying that there are other items they need that they haven't listed.

Another fascinating aspect of what not is its ability to express a sense of inclusiveness and comprehensiveness. By using this idiom, speakers and writers can convey the idea that they are referring to all possible things related to the topic at hand, without explicitly listing them. It adds a layer of completeness to the statement, leaving room for interpretation and imagination.

The origin of the idiom what not is uncertain. While there is limited information available about its etymology, what is known is that the phrase has been in use since at least the 17th century. It appears in various forms of written English from that time period, and its usage has continued to evolve over the years.

An interesting variation of the idiom what not is the compound phrase "and what not," which is commonly used to indicate the existence of other unspecified things in addition to those already mentioned. This compound form adds emphasis to the idea of inclusiveness and further expands the range of possibilities. For example, if someone says, "I went to the store and bought groceries, clothes, and what not," they are implying that they purchased other items as well, without specifying what those items are.

What not, in its various forms, is a versatile idiom that suggests the presence of other unspecified things related to a particular topic. Its origins may be uncertain, but it has been in use for centuries and has evolved to include compound forms such as "and what not." While the idiom provides a sense of completeness and inclusiveness, it also leaves room for imagination and the possibility of additional items or options. The use of what not allows speakers and writers to convey the idea that there is more to be considered beyond what is explicitly stated, leaving space for further exploration and discovery.

The idiom "and such" is related to the phrase "what not" as both expressions serve to suggest the presence of additional or similar things. "And such" is commonly used at the end of a list to indicate that there are other similar things that can be included without explicitly naming them. This idiomatic expression adds a sense of inclusiveness and allows for a broader interpretation of the preceding list.

An example of the use of "and such" would be if someone says, "I love going to the beach, swimming, sunbathing, and such." In this case, "and such" implies that there are other similar activities that the person enjoys but hasn't mentioned explicitly.

The idiomatic expression "and such" enhances the comprehensiveness and inclusiveness of the statement, similar to how "what not" does. It adds a layer of versatility and leaves room for imagination, allowing the listener or reader to fill in the gaps and envision the additional or similar things that are being referred to.

Both "what not" and "and such" are idiomatic phrases that serve to indicate the presence of other unspecified things related to a particular topic. They add a sense of completeness, inclusiveness, and versatility to a statement, leaving room for interpretation and imagination. While "what not" implies the existence of additional examples, options, or items beyond those specified, "and such" suggests the presence of other similar things without explicitly naming them. Both expressions allow speakers and writers to convey the idea that there is more to be considered and explored, enhancing the richness of communication and fostering further discovery.