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How Come

How come is an informal English phrase used to inquire about the reason or cause behind something, serving as a casual equivalent to "why."^[1]^[2] It typically appears in spoken or conversational contexts to express surprise or curiosity regarding an unexpected circumstance.^[1] The phrase originated in the mid-19th century, evolving from earlier English constructions questioning "how" something "came" to be, such as "how came you to be" in a particular state.^[1] It had solidified in its modern form meaning "why," with early literary examples appearing in works by Charles Dickens in 1839 and George Eliot in 1859.^[1] Earlier uses, such as in Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost from the 1590s, employed similar phrasing to ask "how did you come to be" in a particular state, predating the interrogative shift.^[1] Unlike the more formal "why," which directly seeks purpose or explanation, "how come" often conveys a relaxed or friendly tone and follows statement-like word order in questions, such as "You left early, how come?" rather than inverting the subject and verb.^[1]^[3] This structure makes it particularly common in everyday dialogue, journalism, and informal writing—especially in American English—where it softens the inquiry and invites elaboration.^[1]^[3] For instance, it has been used in public speeches, like Barack Obama's 2017 campaign address, and headlines to maintain an approachable style.^[1]

As an English Idiom

Meaning

"How come" functions as an informal interrogative adverbial phrase in English, primarily used to inquire about the reason, cause, or explanation for a situation, event, or state of affairs, serving as a colloquial equivalent to "why."^[2] This usage positions it within everyday conversational contexts, where it prompts clarification on unexpected or puzzling occurrences.^[1] For instance, in the sentence "How come you're late?", the phrase seeks the underlying cause of the delay, much like asking "Why are you late?"^[4] Another example is "How come the meeting was canceled?", which questions the circumstances leading to the cancellation.^[5] These constructions highlight its role in informal questioning, without inverting subject-verb order, unlike standard "why" queries. The phrase's first attestation in print dates to 1848, appearing in John Russell Bartlett's A Glossary of Words and Phrases Usually Regarded as Peculiar to the United States, where it is noted as "HOW-COME? Rapidly pronounced huc-cum, in Virginia. Doubtless an English phrase, brought over by the original settlers, and propagated even among the blacks."^[6] This early record, cited in the Oxford English Dictionary, marks its recognition in American English literature and dialectal usage. Although "how come" can superficially suggest a literal query about the manner of something's arrival or occurrence, it has idiomatically evolved to focus exclusively on causation, deriving from extended forms such as "how come it to pass" or "how did it come about that." This shift distinguishes it from any mechanistic interpretation, emphasizing its role in probing origins or motivations rather than processes.

Etymology

The phrase "how come" derives from 19th-century English interrogative constructions expressing causality, such as "how come you by this?" or the fuller "how does it come about that?", which were gradually shortened in informal speech.^[1]^[7] This contraction emerged as a colloquial way to question the origin or reason of an event, reflecting a blend of explanatory inquiry typical in everyday dialogue of the period.^[4] The earliest documented use appears in 1848, recorded in John Russell Bartlett's Dictionary of Americanisms, where it is noted as "HOW-COME? Rapidly pronounced huc-cum," indicating its pronunciation in Virginia regional speech.^[8]^[9] This American origin aligns with influences from period slang, including usages in writings by authors like Mark Twain, who employed similar forms such as "how-come-you-so" in his 1860s correspondence and speeches to convey informal questioning.^[10]^[11] The component words trace to deeper Indo-European roots: "how" stems from the Proto-Indo-European interrogative kʷo-, an adverbial form for "how" or "in what way," while "come" derives from gʷem-, meaning "to go" or "to come," which evolved into expressions of arrival or causation across Germanic languages.^[8] This linguistic foundation links to parallel constructions in related languages, such as Dutch "hoe komt het" ("how does it come that?") and West Frisian "hoe kom," both used idiomatically to mean "why?" and suggesting shared Germanic interrogative patterns.^[12]^[13] In American English, "how come" evolved rapidly as casual vernacular during the mid-19th century, gaining traction in spoken and written informal contexts before spreading more widely in English dialects by the early 20th century.^[1]^[14]

Usage and Comparisons

"How come" functions grammatically as an informal interrogative adverb or wh-phrase in English, distinct from standard wh-questions because it does not trigger subject-auxiliary inversion, allowing constructions like "How come you left?" rather than "*How come did you leave?"^[15]^[16] This structure treats "how come" as a fixed adverbial element introducing questions about reasons or causes, primarily in spoken contexts where natural dialogue prevails.^[17] In formal writing, it is generally avoided in favor of more precise alternatives, as its colloquial nature can undermine a professional tone, though it remains a staple of everyday conversation.^[18]^[3] Regionally, "how come" originated as a U.S. regional expression in the mid-19th century and remains predominantly associated with American English, though its adoption has spread to global varieties, including British dialects for casual inquiries.^[19] In African American Vernacular English (AAVE), it frequently introduces reason questions without inversion, as in "How come you always try to be so pleasant?" or "How come that ain't working?", reflecting its integration into dialect-specific grammar for expressing causation.^[20]^[21] This usage underscores its versatility across dialects, with increasing prevalence in informal international English due to media influence and cultural exchange. Compared to "why," "how come" carries a subtler nuance, often implying curiosity about the process or origin of an event rather than a direct demand for purpose, as in "How come it rained?" which evokes the causal chain leading to the outcome.^[22] "Why," by contrast, is more straightforward and versatile, suitable for both motivations and explanations, but lacks the softened, conversational tone of "how come," which avoids sounding accusatory.^[23]^[24] The phrase's informal word order—no auxiliary before the subject—further highlights its spoken emphasis on narrative flow over formal structure.^[25] In educational and media contexts, "how come" is regarded as colloquial yet acceptable, particularly in dialogue to authentically represent speech patterns, as recommended by style guides for conveying natural conversation without implying grammatical error.^[26] For instance, it suits narrative fiction or reported speech where realism trumps formality, though educators may advise "why" for academic writing to maintain precision.^[27] This balanced view positions it as a tool for stylistic variety rather than a marker of impropriety.

In Media and Entertainment

Songs

The song "How Come" by American hip-hop group D12, released in June 2004 as the second single from their album D12 World, explores internal conflicts within the group, including themes of betrayal, the pressures of fame, and fractured friendships through introspective verses from members like Eminem and Proof.^[28] Written by Proof, Bizarre, Eminem, Dewitt Moore, and Kon Artis, the track features raw, confessional lyrics such as lines questioning loyalty among bandmates amid rising success.^[28] It peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart and received critical acclaim for its emotional depth, contrasting the group's typical humorous style.) English musician Ronnie Lane's "How Come," issued as his debut solo single in November 1973 on GM Records, is a folk-rock track co-written with Kevin Westlake that delves into personal introspection and relational uncertainties following Lane's departure from the Faces.^[29] Backed by his band Slim Chance, the song blends acoustic elements with pop-rock arrangements, peaking at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart and marking a shift toward Lane's rootsier solo sound.^[30] Australian new wave band The Sports released "How Come" in March 1981 as the lead single from their fourth album Sondra, written by vocalist Stephen Cummings and guitarist Andrew Pendlebury to capture themes of relational confusion and everyday romantic bewilderment.^[31] The upbeat track, characterized by jangly guitars and Cummings' wry delivery, reached number 21 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart, contributing to the band's reputation for clever, pub-rock-infused pop.^[32] Other notable songs titled "How Come" include English singer-songwriter James Morrison's 2006 soulful ballad, a bonus track on the expanded UK edition of his debut album Undiscovered, which questions inconsistent behaviors in a romantic partnership through smooth, guitar-driven melodies.^[33] Similarly, South Korean girl group Brown Eyed Girls' 2008 K-pop track "Eojjeoda (How Come)" from their album My Style adopts a retro-dance style to ponder unexpected love and emotional vulnerability, featuring bold choreography and harmonies that helped solidify their provocative image in the industry.^[34]

Television and Film

The "How Come?" television series aired on KING-TV in Seattle during the 1970s and early 1980s as a half-hour educational program hosted by Al Wallace, targeting children and early teens with explanations of how everyday phenomena and mechanisms functioned. Broadcast early Sunday evenings, the show employed an innovative format incorporating graphics, films, and studio demonstrations to demystify topics in science, technology, and nature. This approach earned it a 1974 Peabody Award for its engaging, youth-directed content that promoted curiosity and critical thinking in an era when public broadcasting emphasized innovative children's education amid the influence of programs like Sesame Street.^[35]^[36] In 1974, the series particularly stood out under the direction of figures like Dick LaCombe, aligning with broader 1970s media trends toward accessible, inquiry-based learning that mirrored the casual, questioning tone of the English idiom "how come" to make complex ideas relatable for young audiences. Production details included a modest local budget typical of regional affiliates, with episodes running approximately 30 minutes and focusing on practical demonstrations rather than scripted narratives, contributing to its Peabody recognition for educational impact.^[36] "How Come Nobody's on Our Side?" is a 1974 American comedy film directed by Richard Michaels from a screenplay by Leigh Chapman, produced by Maurice Smith on a low budget characteristic of independent 1970s cinema. Starring Adam Roarke as a motorcycle gang leader, Larry Bishop, and Alexandra Hay, the 84-minute feature satirizes biker gang tropes popularized by films like Easy Rider (1969), blending slapstick humor, absurd scenarios on a movie set, and lighthearted critiques of outlaw culture without delving into serious drama. Released amid a wave of low-budget exploitation spoofs, it reflects the era's trend toward parodying countercultural icons in accessible, comedic formats for drive-in audiences.^[37]^[38]

Other Uses

In addition to its appearances in songs, "How Come" has been used as the title for various music releases outside of standalone tracks. For instance, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons released a single titled "How Come?" in 1973 on Motown Records (catalog M 1255F), written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman for the animated film Tom Sawyer. The single, backed by "Life and Breath," failed to chart and marked a commercial low point during the group's brief Motown era, reflecting their struggles to adapt to the label's sound after leaving Philips Records.^[39]^[40] In literature, "How Come" appears infrequently as a title or structural element in 20th-century American fiction, often to evoke informal, inquisitive dialogue that highlights regional or youthful vernacular. A notable example is Martha Young's short story "How Come Bre'r Elephant Be Like He Do Be," circa 1900, which draws on Southern folktale traditions to explore animal fables through dialect-heavy questioning, published in collections of her regional tales. In longer works, the phrase features in idiomatic dialogue to convey childlike curiosity or colloquial speech patterns; Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) employs it multiple times, such as when Scout Finch questions her brother Jem about family absences—"How come?"—or when schoolyard taunts reference Atticus Finch's legal work, underscoring the novel's themes of innocence and social inquiry through everyday Southern English.^[41]^[42] The phrase has gained traction in modern digital media during the 2020s, appearing in memes and social trends that leverage its casual tone for humorous or rhetorical effect. On TikTok, "how come" often punctuates viral skits questioning everyday absurdities, such as clips mimicking parental logic or relationship dynamics, contributing to its role in short-form comedy without dedicated challenges but as a recurring punchline in user-generated content. Podcasts have also examined its informality; the Lexicon Valley episode "Why, how come, and what for" (2020) analyzes its syntactic evolution from 19th-century dialect to contemporary interrogative shorthand, distinguishing it from "why" in expressive contexts. Similarly, Kris Spisak's "Threatened Languages, How Come We Say 'How Come' & the Roman Empire" (2020) traces its etymology while tying it to broader linguistic trends in informal speech.^[43]^[44] Internationally, equivalents of "how come" appear in non-English media titles, adapting the phrase's inquisitive informality. In French, "comment ça se fait" (literally "how does it happen that") serves a similar rhetorical function and titles works like Nadja's graphic novel Comment ça se fait (2006, Éditions Cornelius), a surreal exploration of memory and coincidence through illustrated vignettes. This mirrors the English phrase's use in prompting causal reflection, though French media often favors it in literary rather than broadcast contexts.^[45]

References

[1]
How Come People Say 'How Come'? | Merriam-Webster
"How come" means "why?" since the mid-19th century, used for informal tones, and is useful for conveying a relaxed tone.
[2]
how come?
### Summary of "how come" from Cambridge Dictionary
[3]
How Come We Say “How Come”? - Quick and Dirty Tips
Well, ”how come” is believed to be short for “how did it come about that,” “how is it that,” or “how comes it.”.
[4]
Why Do We Say, 'How Come?' - VOA Learning English
Jun 18, 2021 · “How come” is “used to ask why something has happened or is true.” It is a short form of “how did it come about that.”Missing: Oxford | Show results with:Oxford
[5]
HOW COME? definition in American English - Collins Dictionary
how come? in American English informal how is it that? why? How come you never visit us anymore? See full dictionary entry for how.Missing: Oxford | Show results with:Oxford
[6]
http://www.merrycoz.org/voices/bartlett/Amer.xhtml
[7]
How Come | Phrase Definition, Origin & Examples - Ginger Software
The idiom 'how come' is American in origin, and dates back to the mid-19th century. It is essentially a shortened form of 'How does it come to be?' Its ...
[8]
How - Etymology, Origin & Meaning
How come they die?" [The Newbernian, Feb. 16, 1838]. Emphatic phrase and how! is recorded from 1865. The formulation was common in book and article titles ...Missing: idiom | Show results with:idiom<|control11|><|separator|>
[9]
Dictionary of Americanisms, by John Russell Bartlett (1848)
HOW-COME? Rapidly pronounced huc-cum, in Virginia. Doubtless an English phrase, brought over by the original. ----- p. 183. settlers, and propagated even ...
[10]
Answers to Correspondents - Mark Twain
MARK TWAIN IN THE CALIFORNIAN 1864-1867 · Home | Quotations | Newspaper ... how come you so?' As I felt in his pockets to see if his friends had taken ...
[11]
Mark Twain's Speeches - Project Gutenberg
“They were pretty how-come-you-so by now, and they begun to blow. Emerson says, 'The nobbiest thing I ever wrote was “Barbara Frietchie.”' Says Longfellow ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[12]
HOW COME | translate English to Dutch - Cambridge Dictionary
Translation of how come – English–Dutch dictionary. how come. Add to word list Add to word list. ○. for what reason. hoe komt het. How come I didn't get any ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[13]
[PDF] A Historical Study of the Influences of European Immigration on the ...
And the expression in American English “How come?” is also from the Dutch “hoekom”. D. The Influence of German on American English. In 1683, thirteen families ...
[14]
Is How Come Proper Grammar in English? - INK
Americans began using the phrase “How come” around the mid-1800s. The phrase originates from old expressions such as “how is it that.” Bartlett's Dictionary of ...
[15]
4 On the Distribution and Structure of 'Why' - MIT Press Direct
How come you left? b. *How come did you leave? c. How come John said Mary left? How come never triggers Aux inversion, as shown in (5b), and like por qué.
[16]
English How Come Construction: A Double Life - Academia.edu
The construction 'how come' functions as both an adverbial element and an auxiliary verb. 'How come' does not trigger Subject-Auxiliary Inversion (SAI), unlike ...
[17]
[PDF] 1 Reanalyzed vs. Fossilized how come: The Michael Montgomery ...
Americanisms notes that how come is 'rapidly pronounced huc-cum' in Virginia (1848:182), suggesting that at least some speakers might have used the expression ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[18]
Definition of HOW COME
### Summary of "How Come" from Merriam-Webster
[19]
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/how_adv?tab=factsheet#1373886
[20]
[PDF] The Syntax Features of the African American English In Georgia ...
(1985:840), how come is used in African American English speech to introduce reasonquestions. Theexamples are: How come you always try to be so pleasant? {ARITS);.<|separator|>
[21]
[PDF] Grammatical features of African American Vernacular English in the ...
Mar 12, 2021 · • The auxiliary: “How come that ain´t working?” • Negative present tense contracted form of the auxiliary has: “I ain´t got one singe flea.
[22]
How Come We Say “How Come”? - Word Smarts
“How come” is clear; in the example and now, it's mainly used in place of the word “why,” as in, “Why/how did it come about?”
[23]
What is the difference between 'How come' and 'Why' in English?
Mar 25, 2019 · "Why" is more formal and widely used, while "how come" is considered more informal and conversational. People may choose one over the other ...What's the difference between why and 'how come'? - QuoraWhat is the difference between why and how come, and when can I ...More results from www.quora.com
[24]
Why vs. How Come - Jessica's English Corner - WordPress.com
Aug 3, 2018 · How come is used in a more friendly context and is used to express that the asker is surprised by the piece of information which they are asking ...
[25]
What's the difference between “why do you ~?”, “How come you ~?”
Apr 6, 2024 · “How come” is going to get answers about environmental causation. “Why do you” is going to get internal motivations. “What makes you will get you external ...What's the difference between “ how “ and how come “? Could you ...How Come we say how come? : r/asklinguistics - RedditMore results from www.reddit.com
[26]
[PDF] The American Heritage Guide to Contemporary Usage and Style
... how come you here? What madness or devilry is this? Death, death, death! Death take us all!" (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King) faze / phase. The ...
[27]
Buck's English: 'Hows come' it doesn't make senswe - The Oklahoman
Mar 15, 2015 · The common expression “how come” is colloquial, and therefore purists look down on it in formal speech and writing. But Buck and the boys use it ...
[28]
Performance: How Come by D12 | SecondHandSongs
D12 originally released How Come written by Proof, Bizarre, Eminem, Dewitt Moore and Kon Artis and D12 released it on the album D12 World in 2004.<|separator|>
[29]
Ronnie Lane Accompanied By The Band Slim Chance - How Come?
### Release Details
[30]
HOW COME? by RONNIE LANE & SLIM CHANCE - Official Charts
Jan 12, 1974 · Latest chart stats about HOW COME? - peak chart position, weeks on chart, catalogue number, week-by-week chart placement and latest news.Missing: performance | Show results with:performance
[31]
The Sports - How Come - 1981 - Remastered Video - YouTube
Nov 17, 2019 · Ripped in lossless format from DVD and audio replaced. "How Come" is a song recorded by Australian rock band The Sports.
[32]
THE SPORTS
Sep 22, 2013 · It was released in February 1979 ahead of their joining Graham Parker & the Rumour's UK tour. Feliu felt "plenty of admiration for their punchy ...
[33]
James Morrison - Melodic Multi-Talented Singer-Songwriter
The expanded UK version also includes two of his earlier compositions, namely “How Come” and “Better Man”. Singles aside there are plenty of overlooked gems ...<|separator|>
[34]
Eojjeoda (How Come) - song and lyrics by Brown Eyed Girls - Spotify
Listen to Eojjeoda (How Come) on Spotify. Song · Brown Eyed Girls · 2018. ... EP • 2008 · My Style (Hidden Track). Single • 2008 · 떠나라 미스김. Album • 2007.Missing: details | Show results with:details
[35]
How Come? - The Peabody Awards
A Peabody Award for its unusual series, directed to children and youth, and titled How Come?. The program utilized graphics, films, and studio demonstrations.
[36]
[PDF] THE THE KING BROADCASTING STORY - World Radio History
... series of shows entitled "How Come ?" which explained to viewers in their early teens how all kinds of things worked. In. 1974, with LaCombe directing and ...
[37]
Randy Douthit: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First ...
Nov 12, 2022 · He was transferred to Seattle in 1975 to sister station KING-TV to direct the Peabody Award-winning children's program How Come, as well as ...
[38]
How Come Nobody's on Our Side? (1974) - IMDb
Rating 5.2/10 (55) How Come Nobody's on Our Side? · Director. Richard Michaels · Writer. Leigh Chapman · Stars · Adam Roarke · Larry Bishop · Alexandra Hay.
[39]
Screenwriters | The Classic TV History Blog
Chapman tackled just about every subgenre now enshrined in grindhouse nostalgia: beach parties (A Swingin' Summer), bikers (How Come Nobody's on Our Side?), ...
[40]
https://thatfourseasonssound.typepad.com/seasonally/2020/05/the-uncovered-fsp-motown-masters-part-2.html
[41]
That 'Four Seasons' Sound - THE UNCOVERED FSP MOTOWN ...
... release in August 1973 but was never developed or finished. 'How Come' from these sessions was released in May 1973 [Motown 1255F] but did not achieve ...
[42]
Short Story, How Come Bre'r Elephant Be Like He Do Be, by Martha ...
Title, Short Story, How Come Bre'r Elephant Be Like He Do Be, by Martha Young, circa 1900 ; Creator, Young, Martha, 1868- (Author) ; Type, Text ; Date, ca. 1900.
[43]
[PDF] To Kill A Mockingbird
remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.” That was the only time I ever ... “How come?” “Well, they stayed gone all the time, and when they were home ...
[44]
Why, how come, and what for.
Sep 29, 2020 · Both How come? and What for? can be used to ask why, but native English speakers often employ them in subtly different ways.
[45]
#32 - Threatened Languages, How Come We Say ... - Kris Spisak
How come we say “how come”? It's another example of a longer phrase that's been tightened over the centuries.
[46]
Comment ça se fait : Nadja: Amazon.de: Books
Comment ça se fait : Nadja: Amazon.de: Books. ... Book details. Language. French. Publisher. CORNELIUS ... film, un livre, un tableau. La boucle est bouclée ...