Did You Know? Two Words We Use Daily Mean So Much More

We likely say these two words every day in most parts of the United States, the words “Goodbye” and “Howdy!” Did you know that both are conjugations of four-word phrases and that they meant much more than they do today?

We all understand the meaning of “goodbye” today. Goodbye is a way to send someone off. However, the word goodbye is actually a contraction of the words “God be with ye.” It’s also why we have a third way to write these three homophones; by, buy, and bye. “Bye” (literally “be with ye”) is now also a short slang word for the word goodbye.

The phrase “God be with ye” was used during the 13th and 14th centuries in England but then shortened to Goodbye which we use today. Ironically the word goodbye can now mean any sort of departure whereas in the past it would have meant a parting that was more permanent. Some suggest that the phrase “God be with ye” was infused with the popular terms of the day such as “good day” or “good morning”, etc.

The other word that we all use often is the greeting “Howdy!” Howdy is a contraction of the 4 words “How do you do?” or “how do ye?” The term initially began as a question but now has become a way to say hello. The one-word “Howdy” is now a simple salutation or greeting. Some suggest that the success of the marionette puppet, Howdy Doody of the 1950s, has somewhat relegated the word “Howdy” to a country or “cowboy” term but in fact the word was originally a common greeting in England as far back as the 1600s.

Now you know!

So, the next time someone says goodbye, you can equally answer “God be with ye also!” or if someone greets you and says “Howdy!” You would be right if you answered, “Fine, and how are you?”

Remind me to tell you how we got the word “hello” some time! ;)

(Patrick Herman is an author, radio announcer for the Pilgrim Radio Network and blogger. He lives with his wife and four kids in Carson City, Nevada).