Can someone explain to me how the word 'anymore' has become synonymous with 'nowadays'?

[mr_lebowski]

Anymore I see people misusing this word all the damn time, which for some reason utterly bugs the crap out of me. (you know, like I did just there).

'Anymore' is synonymous with 'any longer'. It is used to describe the CEASING of something. It is NOT synonymous with 'these days' or 'nowadays'.

Some examples to illustrate:


'Nowadays, we go to mountains instead of the beach' (CORRECT)

'We go to mountains instead of the beach nowadays' (CORRECT)

'We don't go to beach anymore, we go to the mountains' (CORRECT)

'Anymore we go to the mountains instead of the beach (INCORRECT).

'We go to the mountains instead of the beach anymore (INCORRECT).

'We go to the mountains anymore instead of the beach (INCORRECT).

Why are the last 3 wrong? Because 'anymore' means 'any longer'. If you plug in 'any longer' where you seen 'anymore' ... it becomes jibberish.

When did people start saying this, and why has it happened?

And also, get off my DAMN LAWN!!!

[LuvLoogie]

1. I think it's a more subtle and and clever usage, really. But it can be overused and lose it's edge.

It is used to describe something that is ongoing but perhaps shouldn't be. Like the speaker has kind of given up on altering the subject at hand.

Kind of like, "I don't want to do this anymore, but I can't help it."

It's like "woke," which I find pretty annoying, that has taken on a meaning beyond it's grammatically incorrect use.

[mr_lebowski]

3. That usage is perfect, because you can substitute 'any longer' ...

Which is what 'anymore' means.

Its when people use like it means the same as 'nowadays' or 'these days' where I'm just kinda dumbfounded and annoyed.

'Hey does your family still go to the beach for the holiday?'

'Anymore we go to the mountains!'

Like ... that's not the proper usage of 'anymore', and who taught you it was?

I swear people use it like this all the time anymore ...

[BamaRefugee]

2. I grew up mostly Down South and never heard anyone use it until I got engaged to a girl in Cleveland

then, wow, everybody said it ALL THE TIME.

[mr_lebowski]

4. So what you're saying is ...

Anymore that's all you ever hear?

Man that would drive me up the wall.

[hlthe2b]

5. I haven't really thought about this one, but a lot of terms become accepted in their new usage

or alternate spelling or pronunciation--just by being commonly mistaken. I still haven't forgiven Websters for accepting "NUCULAR" pronunciation as an acceptable variant of NUCLEAR after GWBush* (and others, admittedly) kept mispronouncing it. Since we don't hear from Bush* much anymore I have a lot less angst about it, now. LOL

But, that is what happens with "living" language.

[ProudLib72]

6. Nowadays people just don't speak properly

People don't speak properly anymore.

People don't speak properly any longer.

[Fla Dem]

7. I have not heard "anymore" used in this manner (the incorrect ones you listed).

The incorrect sentences make no sense. Maybe it's a regional thing. Rarely, if ever, hear the phrase "nowadays".