I learned in elementary school that saying "How come" was improper, and to use "Why". Is this true today?

Question

In elementary school, I remembered learning that saying, "How Come" was always improper. Instead, "Why" should be used. Is this still true today, or is "How Come" now proper English?

Answer 1

"How come" is idiomatic. You don't usually write it, but many people say it in everyday conversation.

In writing or public speaking, one should say "why." But in conversational English, "how come" is perfectly acceptable.

Answer 2

I was just thinking about this! Just because it is commonly spoken, doesn't make it proper English. You'll find that most people do not speak using proper English. So no, it's still not proper.

Answer 3

Probably - but what you were told is much more proper.

How come?That's just the way it is !!