What is "what for"

adv. (context colloquial English) For what reason; why. alt. (context colloquial English) For what reason; why. n. (context idiomatic colloquial usually with "give someone" English) An unspecified punishment or rebuke

n. a strong reprimand

"What For" is a single by Mancunian band James, released in 1988 by Sire Records, the first after an enforced eighteen-month hiatus and also the first release featuring material off their forthcoming album Strip-mine. Both the title track and one of the two additional tracks, "Not There" were included on Strip-mine, while the other track, "Island Swing" remains otherwise unreleased. "What For" was also included on the compilation Just Say Yo and reached the 33rd spot on John Peel's Festive Fifty of 1988.

What For may refer to:

• What For? (album) Toro y Moi
• "What For?" (Aisha song)
• "What For" (James song)
• "What For", song by Rooney from Calling The World (album)
• What for?, children's book illustrated by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen 1975