{"id":2787,"date":"2022-04-20T03:33:08","date_gmt":"2022-04-20T03:33:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=2787"},"modified":"2022-04-20T03:33:54","modified_gmt":"2022-04-20T03:33:54","slug":"all-the-best-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/all-the-best-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"All the Best - Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for a semi-formal farewell greeting? If so, you could use the saying \u201call the best<\/em>.\u201d This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this greeting and how to use it in conversation.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201call the best<\/em>\u201d is a semi-formal greeting suitable for social and professional use. It also suits verbal and written communications, and it\u2019s a popular way to sign off business emails. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The expression might be somewhat disingenuous in some social settings, especially if you\u2019re not used to using a formal language with your friends.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When you wish someone \u201call the best<\/em>,\u201d you\u2019re telling them that you hope everything goes well for them and future prosperity for their family. It\u2019s a way of telling them that you wish to see them again and that they are of value to your life experience.<\/p>\n

Some people may use the saying in an ironic or sarcastic tone. If that\u2019s the case, they wish the person the opposite of the original meaning of the expression. However, the sarcastic use of the phrase is far less common than the original connotation.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cOh well, cheers, mate, it was nice meeting you tonight. All the best to you and your family; see you around sometime soon, I hope.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDear Mr. Carrington. It was a pleasure meeting you in-store today. I wanted to follow up to see if you\u2019re making the payment later today or tomorrow? All the best, Thomas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope you and your wife enjoyed your trip to our hotel this weekend? Thank you for your patronage and all the best for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll see you around the negotiating table in Germany. Until then, have a safe flight and all the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine, she can take that stance on the situation if she wants, but I want nothing to do with her. Thanks for playing, all the best, and goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Origin<\/h2>\n

Language experts are unsure about the origin of the farewell greeting \u201call the best.\u201d However, many experts believe it originated from a business conversation in the early 1900s.<\/p>\n

The source of the word \u201cbest\u201d goes back to the Middle English word \u201cbeste,\u201d which was around from at least 900 CE.<\/p>\n

No one is clear on when it entered the business vernacular. However, it\u2019s thought that the saying could be a modern iteration of the act of \u201cwishing someone the best\u201d or to \u201cgive someone my best.\u201d<\/p>\n

All the best became a shorter version of these sayings, and the more efficient expression is the one that stays around in language the longest.<\/p>\n