perhaps English · revision 3413

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=late 15th century|origins=fro par, non happ}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /pəˈhæps/, /præps/, US /pɚˈhæps/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|enm|per|haps|t1=by, through|t2=chances]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) the plural of [[hap|t=chance]], from earlier Middle English perhap,^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) on the model of [[peradventure]] and [[perchance]].^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) Word Origins calls it an unusual hybrid of French per “by”, from Latin, and hap, from Old Norse.^(Cresswell 2021) Hoad says it replaced the Middle English phrase by hap or by haps.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “Possibly, it may be”: about 1430 in the OED,^(OED 1989) the late 15th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) or about 1475 in Barnhart, as perhappous.^(Barnhart 1988) The earlier perhap is from the mid-14th century.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The final ''-s'' appears only about 1520.^(Cresswell 2021) ''Perhaps'' has since replaced ''peradventure'' and ''perchance''.^(Etymonline) From 1534 it qualifies a word or phrase on its own, and it is used as a noun, “a mere possibility”, from the same year.^(OED 1989) In conditional clauses, “as may happen”, it is from 1576.^(OED 1989) The verb, “to say perhaps”, is a rare use from 1789.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * mid-14th century – ''perhap''.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1430 – qualifying a statement.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1520 – the form ''perhaps''.^(Cresswell 2021)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1534 – as a noun, a possibility.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1576 – in conditional clauses.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # Maybe; [[possibly]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Used to make a request or suggestion more polite.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A possibility or uncertain thing.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[hap]]

+ * [[happen]]

+ * [[happy]]

+ * [[perchance]]

+ * [[peradventure]]

+ * [[maybe]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary notes that in British English /pəˈhæps/ is usual in formal speech and when the word stands alone, while the shortened /præps/ is common elsewhere, especially at the start of a sentence.^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}