So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen ...

I have just realised that I have not posted in a while. The general idea was that I would post random things about language which could be classed as a language issue in relation to A level English Language. This was only meant to be temporary whilst the boredom of lockdown was in full swing! Unfortunately, this lasted longer than anticipated and I still have a smidgeon of free time to write seeing as my social life seems to have slowed down. It is unlikely to be 'goodbye' to this blog but it is 'goodbye' to colleagues and pupils of Newlands where I have taught for the past 18 years. Enough of the life story and on to the language.

My first thought is the way that we repeat 'bye' sometimes ad infinitum but can only say 'hi' once unless we want to sound really weird. But why do we say 'bye'? Obviously it comes from 'goodbye' but if it originally comes from 'God be with you', then why do we get stuck on the 'be'? Surely 'farewell' would be better as you are wishing the other person some kind of happiness.

One of the best things about English is the way that it can be used to sound so polite when in fact the opposite is true. How many times have you wanted someone to leave but have not had the nerve to tell them to 'bog off' or worse? There are many phrases that we just drop into conversation and hope that the hint is taken. 'What are you doing later?', 'Talk to you later', 'Have a good one', or something more straightforward such as 'see ya later, alligator'! Where did that even come from?

'Cheerio' is a particular favourite of mine, sounds a little like cheers and sounds somewhat humorous. 'See you soon' is another one of my norms, linking to the 'auf Wiedersehen' in the title and suggests that it will not be a permanent ending, so just for those who you like spending time with.

The astute of you will have realised that the lyrics referenced in the title are actually misleading as the missing word is 'goodnight' and not 'goodbye'.