Nearby Words

irregardless

[ir-i-gahrd-lis] Origin

ir·re·gard·less

[ir-i-gahrd-lis]
adverb Nonstandard.

Origin:
1910–15; ir-2 (probably after irrespective) + regardless

irregardless, regardless (see usage note at the current entry).


Irregardless is considered nonstandard because of the two negative elements ir- and -less. It was probably formed on the analogy of such words as irrespective, irrelevant, and irreparable. Those who use it, including on occasion educated speakers, may do so from a desire to add emphasis. EXPANDIrregardless first appeared in the early 20th century and was perhaps popularized by its use in a comic radio program of the 1930s

COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To irregardless

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Irregardless is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

irregardless
an erroneous word that, etymologically, means the exact opposite of what it is used to express, attested in non-standard writing from at least 1870s (e.g. "Portsmouth Times," Portsmouth, Ohio, U.S.A., April 11, 1874: "We supported the six successful candidates for Council in the face of a strong opposition.
EXPAND
We were led to do so because we believed every man of them would do his whole duty, irregardless of party, and the columns of this paper for one year has [sic] told what is needed."); probably a blend of irrespective and regardless. Perhaps inspired by the double negative used as an emphatic.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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