This one is quick–but interesting!
Anyway dates from 1560, though it was traditionally two words until the 1830s. And up until modern history, it was quite literally “any way.” As in, Is there any way I can help you? I’ll get there any way I can. It quite literally meant “in any manner.”
It wasn’t until 1859 that it took on the sense of “regardless” that it now often has. So, historically, no “I’m going anyway!” unless you mean “by any path.”
Yeah, pretty sure I may have used that one incorrectly at some point or another, LOL. But now we know!
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
Interesting to note this is not a modern day word as I thought it was. But since I am living in modern times and not the 1800's as I would prefer, I will use it the way I always do anyway. Thank you for the share.