Why Do British People Say Top Of The Morning?

It’s an Irish expression and means “the best of the morning to you” and an appropriate reply is “And the rest of the day to you”.

Do British people say top of the morning?

Usage notes. This term should be considered apocryphal of Irish speech and is a stereotype. While popularly used in the United States when imitating Irish people, or when celebrating one’s Irish heritage (e.g. on St. Patrick’s Day), latter-day native Hiberno-English speakers would be unlikely ever to use this phrase.

Where does Top of the morning originate?

The phrase is Irish in origin but now very rarely used in Ireland (except as a sterotypical “Irishism”). It simply means “the best of the morning to you” – perhaps from the idea of unhomogenised milk, where the cream rises to the top.

What do they call a nap in the UK?

nap, kip (British, slang), snooze, drowse, take forty winks (informal)

What does Top of the morning mean in slang?

Essentially it means “The best part of the morning to you”; a typical response would be “And the rest of the day to you.”

What do you respond to Top of the morning?

The proper response to “top o’ the morning to ya” is “…and the rest of the day to yourself.” did not know this!

Do Irish people say top o the morning?

Few dialect myths rankle more people than the purported Irish phrase, “top o’ the morning.” Any Irish person will inform you that they have never, ever heard even one of their countrymen utter these words.

What is the most British thing to say?

11 Bloody Brilliant British English Phrases

  1. “Fancy a cuppa?” meaning: “Would you like a cup of tea?”
  2. “Alright?” meaning: “Hey, how are you?”
  3. “I’m knackered!” meaning: “I’m tired.”
  4. Cheeky. meaning: playful; mischievous.
  5. “I’m chuffed to bits!” meaning “I’m very pleased.”
  6. Bloody. meaning: very.
  7. To bodge something.
  8. “I’m pissed.”

What do the British call a taxi?

Black cab
The famous London taxis are actually called ‘hackney carriages’ but in London we just call them ‘black cabs/taxis’. London taxi drivers have to pass a special exam called the Knowledge to get their license so if you take a black cab, you can be sure the driver will know the way.

What is a zipper called in England?

zipper ​Definitions and Synonyms
a long narrow metal or plastic object with two rows of teeth, used for closing or opening something, especially a piece of clothing. The British word is zip.

What do British people say at night?

Useful phrases in British English

Phrase British English
Good evening (Evening greeting) Good evening Evening
Good night Good night Night night (inf) Sweet dreams Good night, sleep tight Good night, sleep tight, hope the bedbugs don’t bite
Goodbye (Parting phrases) Goodbye Farewell (frm) Bye Bye bye See you See you later

What does top up mean in British slang?

Definition of top up
transitive verb. British : to make up to the full quantity, capacity, or amount. intransitive verb. British : to replenish a supply.

Who came up with Top of the morning?

Top of the Morning (book)

First edition
Author Brian Stelter
Publisher Grand Central Publishing
Publication date April 23, 2013
Media type Print (Hardcover and paperback) EBOOK

Who coined the phrase top of the morning?

After the Theodore Cyphon instance of “the top of the morning to you” from 1796, the next two Google Books matches for the phrase used as a salutation are from the works of Walter Scott.

How do Irish say good morning?

The simplest: maidin mhaith
“Maidin mhaaaaith!” Maidin mhaith, which is the simplest way to say “good morning” in Irish, is a direct translation of the English phrase.

Is Top of the morning to you formal?

Yes, it would be regarded as “cute” in the US. Certainly it’s OK if you wish to convey a sense of fun early in the morning. But not the greeting you should likely give the president of a large corporation, upon being introduced.

What is an Irish Hello?

The most common way of saying hello in Irish is Dia dhuit, pronounced, jee-ah-gwitch. You might also hear it pronounced as jee-ah-gwit or. jee-ah ditch. If you are saying hello in Irish to more than one person then you would use, Dia Daoibh which is pronounced jee-uh dee-uv or jee-uh dee-iv.

How do Scottish people say good morning?

Madainn mhath
Madainn mhath. Heidh, a Mhàiri! Madainn mhath. Good morning.

What do the Irish say before they drink?

“Cheers” in Irish is sláinte which is pronounced a bit like “slawn-che”. Sláinte means “health”, and if you’re feeling brave, you can say sláinte is táinte (“slawn-che iss toin-che”), meaning “health and wealth”.

What is the British slang for girl?

‘Lass’ or ‘lassie’ is another word for ‘girl’. This is mainly in the north of England and Scotland. ‘Lad’ is another word for boy. ‘Bloke’ or ‘chap’ means ‘man’.

Why do Brits say innit?

“Innit” is an abbreviation of “isn’t it” most commonly used amongst teenagers and young people. This phrase is used to confirm or agree with something that another person has just said. “It’s really cold today.” “Innit.”