ifs and ans

== English == === Etymology === From the old rhyme "if 'ifs' and 'ans' were pots and pans, there'd be no work for tinkers" (and variations). Compare if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. See an in archaic sense meaning "if". === Noun === ifs and ans pl (plural only) hypotheticals; counterfactuals; things that one only wishes were the case ==== Related terms ==== if ifs and ans were pots and pans, there'd be no work for tinkers' hands === See also === ifs and buts ifs, ands, or buts