“Nevertheless, your mother and I will not allow ice cream before dinner.”
This is how folks raised as parents in the 90’s (1990’s) were taught to respond to pleadings, crying, and tantrums of the children they raised in the 90s.
“But Russ’ parents let him have ice cream before dinner.” Was the plead that brought about the Parent Industrial Complex’s response of “nevertheless.”
Which of course begged the question, why is ‘nevertheless’ one word?
“Austin’s parents let him have ice cream anytime he wants,” the child pleads.
“All the more reason you will not have ice cream before dinner. Austin’s parents are lunatics.”
This begged the question, if ‘nevertheless’ is one word, why is ‘all the more’ three words?
As a result (3 words) I consulted Messengers Merriam and Webster (about ‘nevertheless’ not Austin’s parents). My friends M&W confirmed that ‘nevertheless’ is one word – 12 letters, 4 e’s, first known use: 14th century. This explains a lot (2 words), spelling was atrocious back then – Bill Shakespeare quoting Richard II (King of England 1377-1399):
“For sorrow ends not, when it seemeth done.”
“Seemeth?” Not in M&W's tome.
M&W also confirmed ‘all the more’ is 3 words. Which in turn (3 words) led me to ‘more or less” which is 3 words, as is ‘less is more.”
All of which (3 words) led to a another question. What if Tom Moore had a child named Lester? The child would be Les Moore and would be listed alphabetically by last name as Moore, Les.
Nevertheless, I was led to nonetheless – 1 word.
Conclusion: using never or none with less – 1 word. Using all or more with less – 3 words.
Nevermore...
How about you? What word do you use? Share a story!
2nd Helping
Merriam & Webster:
nevertheless - adverb, nev·er·the·less ˌne-vər-t͟hə-ˈles , Synonyms of nevertheless, : in spite of that : HOWEVER
nonetheless - adverb, none·the·less ˌnən-t͟hə-ˈles, Synonyms of nonetheless, : in spite of what has just been said : NEVERTHELESS
