What is the meaning of the phrase ‘until we meet again’?
Goodbye until we see each other again. (The separation between us will be temporary.)
What is the origin of the phrase ‘until we meet again’?
The precise origin of the phrase ‘until we meet again’ remains unclear, although I can say that it appears to have become popularised by the American singer and actor Roy Rogers, with his famous quote:
“Until we meet again, may the good Lord take a liking to you.”
Which is thought to be a way to say goodbye, while also wishing the best of luck for the person or people until you all have the opportunity to meet again.
The phrase ‘until we meet again’ can be used in place of the word ‘goodbye’ for many reasons. If you have grown attached to the person or people in question you may wish to remind them or to insist that your time apart will only be temporary, particularly if you are already planning on meeting them again. The phrase also inspires hope that you will see each other again, and it adds variety to conversation, compared to the overused word ‘goodbye’.
Interestingly, the phrase also appears in Latin, specifically “Ad occursum futurum (nostri)” which translates to “Until a future meeting (of us)”
What are some notable uses of the phrase ‘until we meet again’?
In addition to its use in everyday conversation, you will find the phrase ‘until we meet again’ in works of literature, such as in The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.
The phrase is often used in Disney movies during emotional parting scenes, to emphasise the hope and certainty of future reunions. The phrase also appears in the classic film Casablanca, released in 1942.
‘Until we meet again’ was also a phrase that was frequently used by the former Prime Minister of Great Britain to convey hope and resilience during his many speeches throughout World War II.
The sentiment of the phrase, although not its exact wording, is echoed in the song ‘”We’ll Meet Again” by Vera Lynn released in 1939, and in Robert Burns’ famous song “Auld Lang Syne” dating back to 1788.
