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Bookmark or Share- What is an appropriate greeting to use at night time?"Good night" as a greeting was once a feature found almost exclusively in Ireland. In James Joyce's "The Dead", for example, it is used both as greeting: —O, Mr Conroy, said Lily to Gabriel when she opened the door for him, Miss Kate and Miss Julia thought you were never coming. Good night, Mrs Conroy. And as a farewell:
- phrases - "Good night" or "good evening"? - English Language & Usage ..."Good night" as a greeting was once commonly found in Ireland, but almost exclusive to there. In James Joyce's "The Dead", for example, it is used both as greeting: —O, Mr Conroy, said Lily to Gabriel when she opened the door for him, Miss Kate and Miss Julia thought you were never coming. Good night, Mrs Conroy. And as a farewell:
- phrases - Why is "Good Night!" dismissive - English Language & Usage ..."Good night," on the other hand, tends to be used as a farewell rather than a greeting. To some extent, I suspect this is a psychological matter: even though we often use "night" as a substitute for "evening," I think in general we associate "night" with much later times than "evening," where we're not normally expecting to have company.
- Origin of "good night" - English Language & Usage Stack Exchangemight seem like another possible explanation of "good", but the mention that good bye is influenced by good day and good evening immplies that these were already established, which the entry for good day confirms. good day salutation, late 14c., short for have a good day (c.1200). Good morning is c.1400, gode morwene. Good night, also goodnight ...
- Is 'Night an acceptable informal variant of "Good Night"?The spoken use of "night" as an informal, familiar version of "good night" (wishing one a restful sleep) is common, but I'm not sure what the proper written equivalent is - if there is one. I have always used 'Night with an apostrophe, usually capitalized: 'Night, Caroline!
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