Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Koreabound2004]

Not talking about the "cheers" we say when banging our glasses together....but rather the other one....

The one people say to others when they are leaving some place...or ending an email..

I first encountered it working as a cashier back in the day.....and I never knew how exactly I should respond to it....

And in my boredom, it surfaces........

Where does it come from anyway? British term??

[PEIGUY]

I always use that expression (due to the fact that I worked with British people and have British friends) it can mean a lot of things.. thanks, etc.. when someone says cheers mate I just say no problem or don't say anything.. the Brits should be able to shed more light on it..

[Swiss James]

the correct response is to lightly touch the brow of your cloth cap and say
"Thankee sir"

[eamo]

As a goodbye Brits tend to use it to mean, "well, that encounter between us was quite pleasant and agreeable".

Then, to confuse the issue, there's the sarcastic, negative "cheers". Said in a droll voice to signify dis-pleasure at someones words or actions.

[Swiss James]

I was talking to an american guy in NYC once, asked him where he was from and he said
"Brooklyn"
"Oh I went there the other day"
"Oh, cheers"

Any former colonials should note that this is incorrect usage and makes you look like a bit of a Joey.

[Ekuboko]

Yep, where I come from 'Cheers' means 'thanks', but not so all over the world, apparently - as learnt after a couple of years of receiving the odd email from a South African friend who always signs off "Cheers, (his name)." I was always perplexed, thinking, 'what is he thanking me for?'

I finally found out what it meant when I was visiting South Africa, and after we had done a spot of wine trailing with some of his friends. As I was still recovering from jet lag and napping a lot due to the heat, I didn't hear/see said friends leave. When I woke up, he said, "Oh, (friends' names) say 'Cheers'"... took a couple of minutes to sink in... (me thinking 'WHY are they saying thanks to me??').. then I had to ask the stupid question: "Oh, does 'cheers' mean 'goodbye' in South Africa?"

"Ja ja, of course! what did you think it meant?"

[komtengi]

thanks is the best use of it... but come to think of it I sign off with cheers on my emails

[peemil]

No worries...

[jinglejangle]

[rapier]

"Be ye of good cheer". "Keep smiling,stay well, be happy, etc.
Originally it simply meant in good spirits. Then it became a common word to symbolise a good time while drinking, "he was of good cheer"= he was in fine form.
Then, at the start of drinking sessions people would toast their glasses to good cheer, ie good craic-fun conversation. Then it became shortened to "cheers".
Then after a good bout of drinking, people would say "cheers" to indicate they had a good time- thus, it came to mean farewell on good terms, a sort of thanks for good company.

I always thought it meant goodbye, -long before I realised it was a drinking toast.

[Swiss James]

[Mashimaro]

[komtengi]

[Deconstructor]

When I was working in Germany, everyone said cheers when leaving. I kept asking myself, "how on earth did it come about" until I realized they weren't saying cheers at all, but chuse (choos) which is actually German.

[Pyongshin Sangja]

It's "tschuss" and it means you're mother's a hoor.