not for nothing

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Phrase

not for nothing

1. For an extremely good reason. Generally used to mean "This is something you should know" or "It is worth mentioning that ...".
   • 1999, Suzanne Bakker, Libraries without Limits, →ISBN:

     Not for nothing is it called the World Wide Wait. Not for nothing has a Dilbert cartoon appeared noting that all the time saved through automation and computers in the last fifty years has been entirely outweighed by people sitting in front of pc's waiting for web pages to load.

   • 2006, Igor Mel'cuk, David Beck, Aspects of the Theory of Morphology, →ISBN, page 563:

     It is not for nothing that linguistics began with morphology and for a couple of centuries was practically nothing more than morphology.

   • 2012, Josephine Tey, A Shilling for Candles, →ISBN, page 96:

     But not for nothing had Hopkins trailed Grant from Wigmore Street to the Orient offices, and from the Orient offices to the Temple, and from the Temple to the Yard. Not for nothing had he cooled his heels round the corner while his paid henchman kept watch on the Yard and gave him the sign when Grant left. Not for nothing had he followed him all the way to Westover.

2. Used to soften the impact of what is said next, implying that it is important.
   • 2011, Stephen J. Cannell, Vigilante: A Shane Scully Novel, →ISBN:

     Listen, dawg, not for nothing, but I'm just horsing around with you when I say stuff like that.

   • 2012, Dayton Ward, Vanguard: In Tempest's Wake, →ISBN:

     And not for nothing, but I think you might want to talk to the doctor about a better diet. I suggest more fruits and salads.

   • 2013, John Vorhaus, Comedy Writing 4 Life:

     And not for nothing, but have you thought about going the indy-pub route, as I have with this book?

3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see not,‎ for,‎ nothing.
   • 2010, F. J. Bradley, A Natural Place To Hide, →ISBN:

     Why did he keep writing all those years for nothing? Not for nothing. For him.

   • 2013, Mike Bird, Iskandar: And the Immortal King of Iona, →ISBN, page 238:

     Then, let us make sure that her death was not for nothing.

Translations

for an extremely good reason

• Finnish: ei turhaan
• German: nicht umsonst
• Hungarian: nem véletlenül
• Polish: nie bez powodu

used to soften the impact of what is said next

• Finnish: ei millään pahalla (fi)
• Hungarian: nem azért mondom

literally: not for nothing

• Finnish: ei turhaan