Thread: Using the Word "Cheers"

OK, how can I not respond when I add 'Cheers' to many of my signoffs?

The following is from A Dictionary of Slang by Eric Partridge, published by Routledge (new 9th edition just out -- shameless plug, I work for Routledge).

cheers! Often Three cheers! A colloquial expression of deep satisfaction or friendly approval: from ca. 1905, replacing cheerio, a drinking toast; by 1950, and still, mid-1980s, perhaps the most common salutation in raising the glass. It has become, since ca. 1960, much commoner than cheerio as a farewell also, and is often used, moreover, since ca. 1970 as 'Thanks!' as acknowledgement or for a small favour. All uses colloquial.

I use it all the time in speech and writing mainly bacuse that's what my old man did all the time when I was growing up.

Cheers
M.

I'd like to hear Borat's perspective on it.

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

Touche Steve ---oh-oh there's another one, can anybody explain the use of the word "touche" please?

After looking at "United Kingom English for the American Novice" --- I don't think I speak English really.

But what do those Brits know anyhow ---what did they invent English or something?

And those Aussies ---- all I hear is pops and whistles when those guys talk ---- and you expect them all to explain things in English to us ? ---- take any word and add an extra "u" in there and that about covers it --- but they are a jolly bunch with their little Koalas and such ----

Cheers

Justin

I think that "touche" comes from fencing, but I could be wrong. "touche" meaning touch, which would be a point. "touche" = "you got me". But hell, I'm from Hawaii, what do I know...

Borat? I'd like to hear Ali G's thoughts and definition of cheers.

Originally Posted by custommartini

I think that "touche" comes from fencing, but I could be wrong. "touche" meaning touch, which would be a point. "touche" = "you got me". But hell, I'm from Hawaii, what do I know...

Borat? I'd like to hear Ali G's thoughts and definition of cheers.

"we is finkin it's like this man, when we was hangin wiv our homies, ya no, we was sayin cheers an finkin it was meanin we was drinkin ya?
An touche dat was like wat we was finkin sum dude was doin wiv me girl, before we was like given him a biggin ya no.

Oh yeah an we is finkin yu is all crazy men wiv youse straight razor shavin ya no?"


dictated to Wayne by Ali G who is not a member of this forum

True!

-whenever

-Ice Lou

Originally Posted by steve

Justin,

CHEERS phrase. 1. Good bye. 2. A typical English drinking toast. 3. Thanks.

You may also hear CHEERIO used as "Good bye". WHAT CHEER (pronounced whatcha) is sometimes used as a greeting. This originates in the phrase "WHAT CHEER are you in?" New Zealanders say HOORAY instead of CHEERS.



Got this from a site called "United Kingom English for the American Novice"

http://www.hps.com/~tpg/ukdict/index.php?file=ukdict-3

Thought you'd get a kick out of this

That's exactly how I (and most UK folks) would use it.

Cheers,

Iwan (see how it works ^^^?)