Idioms for what

Origin of what

before 900; Middle English; Old English hwæt; cognate with German was, Dutch wat, Old Norse hvat; akin to Gothic hwa, Latin quod, Greek

usage note for what

25. See doubt.

British Dictionary definitions for what have you

Word Origin for what

Old English hwæt; related to Old Frisian whet, Old High German hwaz (German was), Old Norse hvatr

usage for what

The use of are in sentences such as what we need are more doctors is common, although many people think is should be used: what we need is more doctors

Idioms and Phrases with what have you (1 of 2)

what have you

What remains and need not be mentioned; and the like. For example, The display room is full of stereos, TV's, and what have you. Although first recorded in 1920, this expression uses an archaic form of putting a question (using have you instead of do you have) as a noun clause, and what in the sense of “anything that.” The synonym who knows what is much older, dating from about 1700; for example, When we cleaned out the tool shed we found old grass seed, fertilizer, and who knows what other junk. Also see or whatever.

Idioms and Phrases with what have you (2 of 2)

what