Register - Log In


FunTrivia Homepage



  • New Questions

  • Unanswered


  • Post a Question
  • Goto Qn #





    Archives

    Why do we say "You're welcome" after someone says "Thank you"?

    Question #58443. Asked by nrubens. (Jul 21 05 8:48 AM)


    lanfranco

    "Welcome" originally meant, "You are well come" or "your coming is pleasing to me," and seems to have come both from the French "bienvenue" and Old English "wilkuma." It was expanded to refer to "I'm pleased to have done this for you," but apparently not until quite late in the development of the English language:

    http://www.takeourword.com/Issue071.html#Words%20to%20the%20Wise

    Jul 21 05, 9:19 AM


    Find something useful here? Please help us spread the word about FunTrivia. Recommend this page below!


    Sign up to see all responses!

    Create a Free ID instantly to see all recent responses, post your own follow-ups or questions, and access over 1,000,000 trivia questions!

    Choose a User Name:
    Your Email Address:
    Choose a Password:

    I agree by the terms outlined in FunTrivia's Conditions of Use





    Suggested Related FunTrivia Quizzes - 90,000 currently online

    1 After
    This is a quiz on "After", a book by Francine Prose. It's a really good book, so have a blast, folks.
    P Average
    10 Q
    shirley07
    Apr 25 07
    120 plays
    2 Someone In A Tree
    "Pacific Overtures" is an inventive musical by John Weidman and Stephen Sondheim. It has never had a long run, but the score is widely recognized as one of Sondheim's best works.
    P Tough
    10 Q
    anthonyrappfan
    May 25 06
    120 plays
    3 The Panda Says No
    Lynne Truss's book "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" is an inspiration for those of us with an obsession about the correct use of punctuation. Release the inner stickler in yourself! Punctuation conventions are British, not American, where these differ.
    Grammatical and Lexical Items Tough
    10 Q
    looney_tunes
    Mar 06 08
    795 plays




    "Ask FunTrivia" is for entertainment purposes only, and answers offered are unverified and unchecked by FunTrivia. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or veracity of ANY statement posted. Feel free to post an updated response if you feel that an answer is inadequate or incorrect. Please thoroughly research items where accuracy is important to you using multiple reliable sources. By accessing our website, you agree to be bound by our terms of service.