275a three- step sequence set out by Pichler and Levey ( 2010 : 20, 2011 ),^23 proposes
that in their fi rst stage, general extenders have referential meaning and denote
the preceding as a member of a wider set (what Carroll calls “specifi c extend-
ers”). In the next stage they come to function textually and metatextually (e.g.,
as topic closer), implying but not denoting a larger category (what Carroll calls
“general extenders”). Formulaic expressions in Middle English, especially and
so forth and etcetera , would appear to serve this function (Traugott 2016 : 36).
Other ME forms, such as or some other , are indeterminate between the two
stages. In Late Modern English, we see general extenders (especially bare
forms such as or something , or anything ) entering the third stage where their
primary function is not to denote or imply a larger category – i.e., they do not
refer to a prior alternative in a list but have “relatively unconstrained backward-
looking reference” (43). They come to serve as a hedge or turn- yielder, i.e., as
an interpersonal marker. Moreover, rather than having scope over an object,
they come to have scope over an event (as in do gags and stuff ) (44).
While other general extenders have a long history, likely going back to
Middle English (see Traugott 2016 ), or whatever is of recent (late nineteenth/
early twentieth- century) origin. The OED gives (30c) as the earliest instance,
although COHA yields earlier examples (30a– b). Other early examples are
given in (30d– f):
(30) a. he would extend to them his assistance as a hunter, guide, or whatever , until
the destination was reached. (1877 Wheeler, Deadwood Dick [COHA])
b. What I seem then to have got hold of, essentially, for the basis of my
Exposition is the Occasion of the girl’s – that is of Rose Tramore’s ...
Birthday, or coming of age, or whatever ; I mean the date at which, under
the terms of her Father’s will, her freedom of action practically begins.
(1892 James, A change of heart [COHA])
c. Poor Professor De Sanctis, the Vice President or Secretary or whatever.
(1905 W. James Let. 25 Apr. (1920) II. 225 [OED])
d. But suppose ye knew more than any other man about the law o’ contracts, or
the science o’ bridge building, or the history o’ nations or the habits o’ bugs
or whatever. (1917 Bacheller, The light in the clearing [CEN])^24
e. When America is an art country, there will not be three or fi ve or seven arts,
but there will be the thousands of arts? or the one art, the art of life manifest-
ing itself in every work of man, be it painting or whatever. (1923 Henri, The
art spirit [COHA])
23 Traugott ( 2016 ) ignores the fourth stage, in which the general extender becomes a mere “punc-
tor,” bracketing units of discourse.
24 This is the only example found in CEN, which, although it contains British (and Irish) and
North American novels, is heavily weighted to British texts. Irving Bacheller, however, is
American. This might point to an American origin for this general extender, though I do not
have suffi cient evidence.
9.6 Origin and History of Pragmatic Marker Whatever