Have to Do With 's definition, meaning and history

Meaning of “have to do with”

The phrase “have to do with” is used to indicate a connection or relevance between two things. It is often used to describe how one thing is related to or influences another.

Here are some examples of how “have to do with” is used in a sentence:

• “This article has to do with the recent discoveries in space.” (The article is about recent discoveries in space.)
• “Her lateness probably has to do with the traffic jam.” (Her lateness is likely because of the traffic jam.)
• “I want nothing to do with their argument.” (I don’t want to be involved in their argument.)

History of “have to do with”

The exact origin of “have to do with” is a bit murky, but we can look at the history of its component parts to understand its development.

Here’s what we know:

• “Have”: This word’s history goes back to Old English “habban” which meant “to have” or “to possess”.
• “Do”: The use of “do” as a helping verb in this context likely comes from Celtic languages spoken in the British Isles.

The specific combination “have to do with” seems to have appeared around the 16th or 17th century. While we can’t pinpoint an exact date, it reflects the growing use of “have” as a general verb to express obligation or possession, combined with “do” as a helping verb to indicate connection or action.

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