Donate SIGN UP
Home > Phrases & Sayings > Why is 'won't' a shortened version of 'will not'?

Why is 'won't' a shortened version of 'will not'?

Avatar Image
Piper-AK | 22:15 Sun 02nd Oct 2005 | Phrases & Sayings
3 Answers

Should it not be 'willn't' if we're going to shorten it as 'won't' is short for 'wo not'?

prev Who first used this phrase?
  
next words
Gravatar

Answers

1 to 3 of 3rss feed

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by Piper-AK. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
Avatar Image kempie
Comes from contractions of woll not or wonnot, both old forms of will not. Per OED.
22:34 Sun 02nd Oct 2005
Avatar Image Piper-AK
Question Author
Oh right - cheers.  Wasn't sure if it was that the last three letters were just 'not' jumbled up.
23:46 Sun 02nd Oct 2005
Avatar Image THECORBYLOON
I don't say "I won't," I say "I'll not" 
00:15 Mon 03rd Oct 2005

1 to 3 of 3rss feed

Do you know the answer?

Why is 'won't' a shortened version of 'will not'?

Answer Question >>

Related Questions

Sorry, we can't find any related questions. Try using the search bar at the top of the page to search for some keywords, or choose a topic and submit your own question.