etymology - "where's that to?"


In Plymouth, and other areas of Devon, it is common to suffix the question "where's that?" with to.


e.g.



Steve: I'm off to see Rita.


Dave: Oh yeah? Where's Rita to?



or



Steve: I'm off to Roborough


Dave: Where's that to?



Is there an origins story for this construction?



Answer



The OED, s.v. "to", meaning A.4.a, says



a. Expressing simple position: At, in (a place, also fig. a condition, etc.). Cf. German zu Berlin, zu hause. Now only dial. and U.S. colloq. Cf. home n.1 and adj. Phrases 1e.



It gives examples from 925 to 1977, including this from 1899:



In Somerset‥it is correct to say ‘I bought this to Taunton’.



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