See You Later
“See you later” - Goodbye. This somewhat loose phrase—one need not necessarily intend to see a person in the future—dates from the latter part of the nineteenth century and has been widely adopted as a farewell. Children play on it with the rhyming “See you later, alligator,” sometimes adding “in a while, crocodile.” These rhyming plays were popularized in a song, “See You Later, Alligator,” by R. C. Guidry, sung in the film Rock Around the Clock (1956). The telephone equivalent, used to end a conversation, is “Talk to you later,” a more recent phrase that is similarly widespread.
Related Expressions
- Bye-bye: Informal version of goodbye.
- Catch you later: Similar casual farewell.
- Take care: A gentle, caring goodbye.
- Adios: Spanish for goodbye, often used in English.
- Hasta la vista: Spanish for “Until we see each other again,” famously used in Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
Proverbs and Alternatives
- “All good things must come to an end.”
- “Parting is such sweet sorrow” - William Shakespeare.
- “Farewell, and if it is farewell, let it be with smiles.”
Humor-filled Quotes
- “See you later, alligator. In a while, crocodile. Okay, we’ll stop before a hippo gets involved.”
- “Parting is such sweet sorrow… unless you’re leaving your ex’s house, then it’s a full-on fiesta!”
Recommended Literature and Media
- Literature: Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954-63 by Taylor Branch
- Songs: “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John
- Poetry: “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
- Movies: Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939, 1969)
Thought-provoking Farewell
As you explore these phrases and goodbyes, remember: “Every goodbye lends itself the chance of another hello. Journey on in words and wonder.”
### What is a casual form of goodbye that involves rhyming animals?
- [x] See you later, alligator
- [ ] Ciao, cow
- [ ] Bye-bye, bear
- [ ] Hasta la vista, hippo
> **Explanation:** "See you later, alligator" is the playful, rhyming farewell commonly used, extending to "in a while, crocodile."
### Which phrase could Shakespeare have penned about parting?
- [ ] Cheers and Beers
- [x] Parting is such sweet sorrow
- [ ] Call me, Charlie
- [ ] Hasta banana
> **Explanation:** "Parting is such sweet sorrow" is a famous line from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," highlighting the sadness and sweetness of saying goodbye.
### True or False: "Bye-bye" is a formal goodbye
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** "Bye-bye" is an informal and affectionate way to say goodbye, typically used with children or among close friends.
<>### Translate this: "Hasta la vista, baby"
- [x] See you later, baby
- [ ] Look at the stars, baby
- [ ] Until next oscar, baby
- [ ] To infinity, baby
> **Explanation:** "Hasta la vista, baby" translates to "See you later, baby" in English; a line popularized by Arnold Schwarzenegger in _Terminator 2: Judgment Day_.
