nowheres

nowheres pronunciation

/NO-wairz/

Meaning

Nowheres is nowhere with that extra rural -s stuck on the end, same family as anywheres and somewheres. In redneck and Appalachian talk it sounds natural: you ain't going nowheres, that tool is nowheres to be found. It can land soft (can't find it) or stubborn (you are staying put).

How folks use it

• “I looked all over and that wrench is nowheres.”
• “You ain't going nowheres till you finish your chores.”

Origin and etymology

Colloquial English has used nowheres with an adverbial -s since at least the early 1800s (Etymonline notes it by 1803). The pattern rides with somewheres and anywheres and hung on hard in Southern and Appalachian speech after it thinned out in schoolbook English. It is old grammar habit, not a fresh invention.

Frequently asked questions