οὐ μὴν ἀλλά, not but what

[Lavrentivs]

It seems that these expressions are literally æquivalent: ‘nothing else is the case but that …’

But for the English expression I have found almost no literary evidence, except for maybe a quote in the OED. Are Englishmen familiar with this?

[Victor]

But for the English expression I have found almost no literary evidence, except for maybe a quote in the OED. Are Englishmen familiar with this?

You'll find "not but what" is common enough in pre-20th century English literature.

[Lavrentivs]

Thanks. What about 'not but (that)'? simply a variant or is there a nuance or historic difference?

[Victor]

Thanks. What about 'not but (that)'? simply a variant or is there a nuance or historic difference?

Fowler, in his Modern English Usage, tells us that "but that" is literary and "but what" is colloquial. Presumably the same distinction applies to "not but that" and "not but what"; if so, there is a subtle difference in register between the two, but not much else.

[Lavrentivs]

I hadn’t thought to look in Fowler. Thanks.