AboutCarol Pozefsky Expertise Etymology: The origins of English words and phrases.
Anchor/Reporter NBC and CBS Networks. News Director 3 Regional Radio Stations.
Question Where did the phrase "looking to" come from? I think it is funny for people to say, "I'm looking to speak to..." or "I'm looking to" do just about anything but actual looking.
Answer
Hello, I hope you're having a fine weekend,
Using the word 'looking' in the way you specify is a shortcut way of saying 'looking forward to'. It is an American colloquialism and has been around for two decades or so. More often than not, it is used in the spoken rather than the written word.
One might say "I'm looking to buy a new car in the near future". Again, it is an abbreviated way of saying I'm anticipating or looking forward to buying a car.
Phrases that are new to us often sound 'funny' at first. After a time, we get so used to seeing and hearing them that we become more comfortable with them. In some cases, we never get used to new phrases and we are bothered every time we hear them.
I have never become comfortable with the incorrect modification of the word 'unique' which is an absolute. Nothing can correctly be more unique, very unique or less unique. Unique is one of a kind, end of story.
The best to you always, Carol P.
