how so

Meaning

Phrase

1. How?; In what way?
2. Why?; For what reason?

Adv

1. How; In what way; however
2. Why; For what reason.
3. Used as an intensifier.

Translations

come mai

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: how-so

Cognate with Western Frisian: hoesa

Cognate with Dutch: hoezo

Cognate with German: wieso

Cognate with Swedish: hurså

In summary

From ellipsis of "how is that so?", and also continuing Middle English how-so, hou-so, hu se (“however, in whatsoever way”). Compare West Frisian hoesa (“how so, why”), Dutch hoezo (“how so, why”), German Low German woso (“how so, why”), German wieso (“how so, why”), Swedish hurså (“how so”). By surface analysis, how + so.