“Neither wonder” – is it a thing

expressionsphrases

In response to a surprising realisation, one might say something like "No wonder {x} is {y}". However for a great deal of my life I was apparently erroneously saying "Neither wonder" in place of "No wonder". I was absolutely convinced the two were interchangeable.

I was corrected eventually (surprised it took so long for me or anyone else to notice) and now force myself to say "No wonder" but I still feel inclined to say "Neither wonder" as a quick-fire retort in conversations.

As a native English speaker, well into adulthood now, I wonder:

  1. Is "Neither wonder {x} is {y}" actually incorrect? (I am assuming so)
  2. Is there some related wording I could have been mixing it up with? (With the exception of "No wonder")
  3. Where might I have picked this up from? (I'm stumped)
  4. Has anyone else ever said this in the history of anything?

Best Answer

It is a thing, and it appears to be a Scottish thing.

Search ”neither wonder you” for examples. Here are a few:

Neither wonder you’re so pleased Sjoerd!! That’s a whole heap of beans.
—eileen / Resident Taxonomist / Location: Scotland

“ . . . That’s scary,” the Scotsman commented. “Neither wonder you’re jumpy.”
The Heights, Jim Cunningham

It was indeed therefore a most remarkable feat that you were able to keep apace with them on your bike – that same one that you used to deliver the milk! Neither wonder you were to suffer asthmatic attacks throughout your life!
Archives, Box & Fiddle — The magazine for Scottish music enthusiasts

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