why of course phrase

‘Of course’ is a dangerous phrase because it can be polite or it can be rude. Let’s start by looking at some polite ways to use it. Are you coming to my party on Saturday? Yes, of course!

Full Answer

What does why of course mean?

Yes, it means something like "of course". It is an idiomatic expression. Nov 13 2013 18:07:35. GPY. +1. NL888 Why yes, and it's fairly easy. Initial Why is a nearly meaningless pause word like Well. In this kind of pattern it completely loses its force as a question word, so it doesn't literally mean "Why?" It is heard much less often now than it was 50 years ago.

What is the origin of the phrase 'of course'?

c. 1300, "onward movement, motion forward, a running in a prescribed direction or over a prescribed distance; path or distance prescribed for a race, a race-course" from Old French cors "course; run, running; flow of a river" (12c.), from Latin cursus "a running; a journey; direction, track navigated by a ship; flow of a stream;" from curs- past participle stem of currere "to run" (from PIE root *kers- "to run").

What does YES Of course mean?

Yes, of course. ‘Of course’ means ‘please do – you’re very welcome. OK, here’s another way to use ‘of course’ politely. Oh. I’m sorry to hear that. OK. Good-bye. We’ve lost a customer. Oh. I tried my best. Of course you did. I did everything I could. Of course, I know you did. Don’t worry about it. I’m agreeing with Jay here.

What does of course mean?

Of course, while you definitely can’t predict your future or interpret your subconscious from dream readings, there are some that have specific meanings. What does it mean when you dream about someone you know? There are many different reasons why you ...

Why do people say why of course?

So what does 'of course' mean? It means obviously. If something is obvious – easy to see or understand – we can say 'of course'. And that's why we often use 'of course' when we say 'yes' to requests.

What is the meaning of the phrase of course?

A1 informal. used to say yes or to give someone permission to do something: "Can you help me?" "Of course."

What kind of phrase is of course?

As detailed above, 'of course' is an adverb. Adverb usage: Of course I'll go with you. Adverb usage: Of course, there will be a few problems along the way.

What is the origin of the phrase of course?

Adverbial phrase of course "by consequence, in regular or natural order" is attested from 1540s, literally "of the ordinary course;" earlier in the same sense was bi cours (c. 1300). Matter of course "something to be expected" is by 1739. course (v.)

Is of course an idiom?

It was used as a phrase meaning “belonging the ordinary procedure.” It was also used to mean “natural order.” As in, this is to be expected. As a standalone idiom it was not used until the 1800s. It is a modified version of the original and means naturally, obviously. This is the manner in which it is used today.

What can I say instead of of course?

synonyms for of courseby all means.certainly.definitely.indeed.indubitably.naturally.obviously.surely.More items...

How do you say yes of course differently?

Ways of saying yes - thesaurusyes. adverb. used for telling someone that what they have said or asked is true or correct.definitely. adverb. used for emphasizing that you mean 'yes'of course. adverb. ... sure. adverb. ... naturally. adverb. ... that's right. phrase. ... I don't mind if I do. phrase. ... by all means. phrase.More items...

What is the sentence of of course?

We use of course to refer to things that are obvious or already known to the speaker and listener, or to everybody: 'A tropical climate is, of course, very humid, so we sweated all the time. '

Is of course informal?

b) (also course informal) spoken used to say yes or to give permission politely 'Can I have a word with you? ' 'Of course. ' 'Can you give me a lift? ' 'Course, no problem.

Where did the term of course?

The NOAD reports that the origin of course is Middle English: from Old French cours, from Latin cursus, from curs- (run), from the verb currere. (See also the definition of course given by Oxford Living Dictionaries.)

Does of course mean yes?

"Of course" means that the statement should be obvious, or can go without saying. Someone hearing "Yes, of course." could reasonably assume that there was no question that the answer might have been no.

Can a sentence start with of course?

The effect playing 'of course' at the beginning or end of a sentence is often dependent on the previous and subsequent sentences. At the end of a sentence 'of course' affirms a positive statement. "Everything was rainbow and roses, of course."

When was the word "of course" used?

Here is an example from 1739: He thought it a Matter of Course. The use of "of course" as a standalone phrase appears not to have emerged until the 1800s when the definition "customary; natural" was modified slightly to become "naturally; obviously.".

When was the word "as a matter of course" first used?

As my own matter of course, I turn to the Oxford English Dictionary for my answer. According to that tome, the phrase "of course" first appeared in the mid-1500s and was used as an adjectival ...

Where did the phrase "the rest as they say is history" come from?

The first apparent use of the term, as ‘the rest is history’ seems to appear in 1839, in John Wade's British History, Chronologically Arranged.

Where did the phrase "sermons" come from?

In 1841, Elbridge Gerry Paige, the publisher of the New York Sunday Mercury newspaper, published a collection of "sermons" under the pseudonym of Dow, Jr.

What does "of course" mean?

of course. 1. In the customary or expected order, naturally, as in The new minister did not, of course, fire the church secretary. This usage, first recorded in 1548, employs course in the sense of "ordinary procedure.". 2.

What does "persuasion" mean?

of a/an/the (something) persuasion. of a/the... persuasion. of age. of all people. of all people/places/things. of all places. of all the. of all the cheek, nerve, stupid things to do, etc.! of all the nerve.