Word Study
why-not
CIDE DICTIONARY
why-not, n.
A violent and peremptory procedure without any assigned reason; a sudden conclusive happening. [1913 Webster]
"When the church
Was taken with a why-not in the lurch." [1913 Webster]
Was taken with a why-not in the lurch." [1913 Webster]
"This game . . . was like to have been lost with a why-not." [1913 Webster]
For further exploring for "why-not" in Webster Dictionary Online