English Explanatory Dictionary

ifs and ans

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. hypotheticals; counterfactuals; things that one only wishes were the case

Word forms

ifs and ans

Etymology

From the old rhyme "if 'ifs' and 'ans' were pots and pans, there'd be no work for tinkers" (and variations). Compare if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. See an in archaic sense meaning "if".

Related words

if ifs and ans were pots and pans, there'd be no work for tinkers' hands ifs and buts ifs, ands, or buts
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