Word Origins

 

*WILLY NILLY

Many years ago there existed in Old English a verb that was the negative of will, "to desire, to be in an acceptable or purposeful frame of mind." This verb's negative was nill, "to be unwilling, not to will." It is known to have existed as early as the ninth century in Anglo-Saxon, and its use continued in good standing until about the first of the seventeenth century. Since then it has become obsolete or archaic except as it has been used specifically in conjunction with one of several expressions signifying futility. All of which implies that "such a thing will be, or will happen, regardless of the desires of the person affected." All these forms have been contracted into the single expression of willy-nilly, which, like the scene above, is futility. 

*Inspired by Charles Funk (1881–1957)