phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

The Phrase Finder
Phrases, Sayings and Idioms Home > Discussion Forum

- We are also on

A Phrase A Week - Facebook Group & Follow aphraseaweek on Twitter

Re: "and what not"

Posted by Smokey Stover on July 15, 2005

In Reply to: Re: "And what not" posted by ESC on July 14, 2005

: : What is the meaning of the phrase "and what not". I hear people using it all of the time to end sentances but I do not understand the meaning.

: whatnot
: Main Entry: 1what·not
: Pronunciation: 'hwät-"nät, 'wät-, '(h)w&t-
: Function: pronoun
: Etymology: what not?
: : any of various other things that might also be mentioned. Paper clips, pins, and whatnot.

Grammatically I think the phrase "what not" may have begun as an answer to the unspoken question "what?" or "what else?" namely, "what not?" You are aware, I imagine, that the word whatnot is sometimes used for a small piece of furniture often hung in a corner with shelves for "what all." SS