[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How come?

Posted: 3/11/2010 3:55:23 PM EDT

Why do people say "How come" instead of "why?"

I'm not trying to pick on people who do, I'm just trying to understand the use of the language.

"How come" sounds like it should mean something like "How did this arrive here?"

Just one of those things that keeps me awake at night staring at the ceiling...

Posted: 3/11/2010 3:56:39 PM EDT

[#1]

How come you let it get to you

Posted: 3/11/2010 4:02:52 PM EDT

[#2]

I've also heard "why come" used.

Colloquialism FTW.

Posted: 3/11/2010 4:05:36 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
I've also heard "why come" used.

Colloquialism FTW.

this

Posted: 3/11/2010 4:06:17 PM EDT

[#4]

Wherefore?

"How come" is an informal idiom

Posted: 3/11/2010 4:26:52 PM EDT

[#5]

Why fer is ya' askin'?

Posted: 3/11/2010 4:34:30 PM EDT

[#6]

I seen this lots...its pretty common.

Posted: 3/11/2010 5:01:49 PM EDT

[#7]

I think how come is a more informal but polite way to ask why on its own.

"I went to the mall yesterday"

"How come?" instead of "why?"

It's difficult to use how come with condescension.

I use "For what reason?" a lot, as well

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How come?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How come?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How come?