Whereabouts/where abouts

I would write "Whereabouts are you staying?", and the definition at http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/whereabouts?view=uk supports this use.

I can't think of a situation where I would write

Thanks, a simple google search disputes this, but we al know how unreliable google is for such tests. Thanks for the link.

English 1b3Thanks, a simple google search disputes this

I think "where abouts" is just a mistake: there is no such word as "abouts" (not that this by itself is completely conclusive, I admit).

Anyone else have a view on this?

Mr WordyAnyone else have a view on this?

It seems, according to the dictionary you cite, that I'm wrong, but I could have sworn that whereabouts was only a noun meaning location.

No one knows his whereabouts.
Where abouts is he?

There are tons of examples of these usages on Google -- and other bizarre forms as well.

"Where abouts is it located?" and I can hardly find an example when I would run them together. Perhaps usage is dependent on your whereabouts!

When the Police want to know your whereabouts.

No one knows his whereabouts.
Where abouts is he?

The above is how it both would be used in my neck of the woods.
They have two different meanings colloquially.

His 'whereabouts' is his 'location'.
'Where abouts?' is the question 'What is his location?'

The s at the end of about is how it is used in most parts of the UK, ignore it not being a wo