While the exact origins are unclear, the earliest known use of the phrase in print was in the 1580s, in Thomas Nashe's work, "The Unfortunate Traveller." Nashe used the phrase "one way or other" (with "other" instead of "another") in a dialogue between two characters.
The phrase has been used consistently ever since, with its meaning evolving slightly over time. Initially, it referred to a situation with two possible outcomes, one positive and one negative. Today, it is more commonly used to describe a determination to achieve a goal, regardless of the specific method employed.
Here are some possible interpretations of the idiom's origin:
* Practicality: The phrase may have emerged from the everyday reality of people in the 16th century, who were constantly facing challenges and needing to find solutions.
* Flexibility: The phrase may have reflected a sense of adaptability and resilience, acknowledging that people often need to be flexible to achieve their goals.
* Determination: The phrase may have been used to express a commitment to a cause, regardless of the obstacles.
Regardless of its specific origins, "one way or another" has become a widely used and understood idiom in the English language.