why-notn.
/ˈwʌɪnɒt/, U.S. /ˈ(h)waɪˌnɑt/ 1. An argument of the form ‘Why not?’, which attempts to leave the opponent without a reply.
ΘΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > putting forward for discussion > [noun] > arguments for or against > argument against > instance of
con1590
man of straw1599
antistrophon1611
why-not1611
againsta1817
counter-argument1862
1611 W. Sclater Key 123 That is answere sufficient to all such plausible why-nots.
1664 S. Butler Hudibras: Second Pt. ii. ii. 105 Capoch'd your Rabbins of the Synod, And snap'd their Canons with a Why-not.
2. Backgammon (see quot. 1680); hence allusively, esp. to take (have, etc.) at a why-not: i.e. at an advantage or in a dilemma.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery or superiority over [verb (transitive)] > have or get (someone) at a disadvantage
to have at avail1470
to catch, have, hold, take (one) at (a or the) vantagec1510
to gain of1548
to be to the forehand with1558
to have (take) on (in, at) the lurch1591
to get the sun of1598
to have (also get) a good hand against1600
to take (have, etc.) at a why-nota1612
to weather on or upon1707
to have the laugh on a person1767
to have a (or the) pull of (also over, on)1781
to get to windward of1783
to have the bulge on1841
to give points to1854
to get (have) the drop on1869
to hold over1872
to have an (or the) edge on1896
to get (also have) the goods on1903
to get (or have) the jump on1912
to have (got) by the balls1918
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > state of uncertainty, suspense > keep in suspense [verb (transitive)] > place in a dilemma
to take (have, etc.) at a why-nota1612
dilemma1656
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > board game > backgammon > [noun] > actions or positions
lympoldingc1350
blot1598
after-game1601
why-nota1612
non-pass1688
hit1766
a1612 J. Harington Brief View Church of Eng. in Nugæ Antiquæ (1804) II. 144 This game..by certaine bootie play betweene a Protector and a Bishop, (I suppose it was at Tick-take), was like to have been lost with a why not?
1680 C. Cotton Compl. Gamester (ed. 2) 113 This is the plain Game of Tick-Tack, which is called so from Touch, and take, for if you touch a man you must play him though to your loss; and if you hit your Adversary and neglect the advantage, you are taken with a Why-not, which is the loss of one.
c1680 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1904) II. 335 You catch me with a why-not still: Indeed my memory growes bad.., and things go out as fast as they come into my head now.
1720 D. Manley Power of Love v. 285 He took me at a why not! naked, without Cloaths and Weapons.
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison VI. xxv. 142 Now, Dame Selby, I have you at a why-not.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1924; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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