English

Phrase

what's the difference

1. Used other than as an idiom: see what,‎ is,‎ the,‎ difference.
   • 1908, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables Chapter XII

     "I don't see why it's any more ridiculous to wear flowers on your hat than on your dress," protested Anne. "Lots of little girls there had bouquets pinned on their dresses. What's the difference?"

   • 1997, Ed Bott, Using Windows

     What's the difference between new Windows programs and old ones? If you're paying close attention, you'll notice subtle differences in the way new 32-bit Windows programs look. Dialog boxes, for example, are likely to have tabbed pages ...

2. (idiomatic) The difference doesn't matter; so what.
   • 2010, Patricia O'Grady, Tales of the Whosawhachits: Key Holder of the Realms:Book 1

     “Genies, fairies, whatever, what's the difference, bring them here I want to talk to them,”