Why "How come?"?

[Marian the]

Why do people often begin their questions with "How come" instead of why?   What is the origin of "How come" ?

[Dusky]

I always thought it was a contraction of a longer phrase like "how does it come about that..."

[ezapf]

Yeah, or "how did it come to pass that..."

True or False, Quizmonster?

[Quizmonster]

Yes, true...both answers above are correct. 'How come', as such, started life as American slang in the niddle of the 19th century. However, 'How comes it that...?' and similar phrases have existed for centuries.

[Quizmonster]

The 'niddle' of the 19th century?? I like it!

[Dusky]

I feel a lot better for a good niddle now and again.