irregardless (2009-10-28)

Part of Speech: adjective, adverb

Pronunciation: [ir′i gärd′lis]

Definition: Nonstandard use of regardless. (Probably a combination of irrespective with regardless.)

Usage: The controversy is hot and heavy about the validity of the word irregardless. It is interesting to note that only a few dictionaries consider irregardless as a word including Webster's New World Dictionary, The American Heritage Dictionary and the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary with caveats about its usage in speaking and writing.

Suggested Usage: You'll find a lot of controversy about this word. Some will say it is not a word but it is included in several dictionaries and has been used rarely since approximately 1875.

Etymology: There are examples of this word being used as far back as 1875 in the Knights Templar (Masonic order) Reed Commandery, No. 6 (Dayton, Ohio), Grand Excursion to New Orleans. The official etymology is that irregardless is a blend of irrespective and regardless. You'll find many arguments both in favor of and against the legitimacy and usage of this word. You'll find many citations at Wiktionary. Do a Google search and you will be inundated with information and opinion. In references across the internet it is characterized as nonstandard, a junk word, colloquial, and slang. Grammar reference books recommend against the use of this word in favor of the word regardless.