Insofar....

[Joseph K]

Yeah, whatevs.

That's an expression of insouciance, not of emphasis.

[french frank]

He did nothing. He did nothing whatever. He did nothing whatsoever. Or should the superlative be whateverest?

[Serial_Apologist]

He did nothing. He did nothing whatever. He did nothing whatsoever. Or should the superlative be whateverest?

That would be too much of a mountain to climb.

[Nick Armstrong]

I'm not sure it's really pompous. I might add 'whatsoever' at the end of a sentence for emphasis - but to add 'whatever' in lieu just wouldn't be idiomatic.

I cannot think of any example where that would be the case

[Joseph K]

I cannot think of any example where that would be the case

If you type 'whatsoever meaning' into Google you will discover that it is an adverb meaning 'at all' used for emphasis, just like I said it was. It also has an archaic meaning of 'whatever' - but my point was that the word 'whatever' isn't used in the sense given above of 'whatsoever' meaning 'at all' for emphasis.

Is that clear enough for you?

[Pulcinella]

If you type 'whatsoever meaning' into Google you will discover that it is an adverb meaning 'at all' used for emphasis, just like I said it was. It also has an archaic meaning of 'whatever' - but my point was that the word 'whatever' isn't used in the sense given above of 'whatsoever' meaning 'at all' for emphasis.

Is that clear enough for you?

I would certainly say
That makes no sense whatsoever
rather than
That makes no sense whatever!

[RichardB]

A part of English, er British identity, since at least the days of the Office of Circumlocution.

One of the many problems with Britain is that it has no written circumlocution.

I see nothing whatsoever wrong with whatsoever however. It's a shame if such enrichments of language are regarded as pompous, isn't it?

[oddoneout]

I would certainly say
That makes no sense whatsoever
rather than
That makes no sense whatever!

That would be my position - emphasis,even more so(if exasperated for instance) when it is split up into its three syllables, each one stressed.
The " ...no sense whatever " version sounds a bit as if it's missing the end of the sentence - perhaps "...the circumstances."

[oddoneout]

One of the many problems with Britain is that it has no written circumlocution.
I see nothing whatsoever wrong with whatsoever however. It's a shame if such enrichments of language are regarded as pompous, isn't it?

Exacerbated by the unwritten manual of tergiversation used by those in positions of influence and power...

[Joseph K]

I would certainly say
That makes no sense whatsoever
rather than
That makes no sense whatever!

Exactly.

[Joseph K]

It's a shame if such enrichments of language are regarded as pompous, isn't it?

Agreed.

[french frank]

I would certainly say
That makes no sense whatsoever
rather than
That makes no sense whatever!

"Of that there is no manner of doubt, No probable possible shadow of doubt, No possible doubt whatever."

I might use either, the infix 'so' being an intensifier.

[kernelbogey]

That's an expression of insouciance, not of emphasis.

Or snorquer production?

[Nick Armstrong]

Exactly.

I disagree but anyway, moving on…

[Serial_Apologist]

One of the many problems with Britain is that it has no written circumlocution.

Brilliant!

I think you should copyright that sentence, Richard.