Ablings

/ˈæblɪŋz/ adverb

Definition

Perhaps, possibly, or maybe; expressing uncertainty or probability (archaic or dialectal).

Etymology

From 'abling' (attempting, endeavoring) + '-s,' or possibly from Scottish/dialectal 'ablins' meaning 'perhaps.' The term appears sporadically in Scottish English and early English dialects where it meant 'possibly' or 'maybe.'

Kelly Says

Scottish and Northern English dialects had whole words for 'maybe' that the rest of English forgot—'ablings,' 'ablins,' 'perhaps,' 'mayhap'—showing how much vocabulary gets lost when one dialect becomes the standard!

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