A "French goodbye" can refer to the common ways to say farewell in French (like Au revoir, Salut, À bientôt), or less commonly, to the concept of a "French exit," which is leaving a gathering without saying goodbye to anyone. The most typical French goodbye is Au revoir, meaning "until we see each other again," used universally, while more casual or specific goodbyes exist for friends or different times of day.
Origin of French Leave
This expression allegedly comes from the practice of French people leaving a party without saying goodbye to the host. According to OED, it was first recorded shortly after the Seven Years' War. Ironically, the French have the same expression.
A French exit and an Irish goodbye refer to the exact same thing: leaving a party or social gathering without saying goodbye to anyone, slipping out quietly to avoid lengthy farewells or social obligations. The difference is purely linguistic and regional; "French leave" (or French exit) is older, originating in English to mock French behavior, while "Irish goodbye" became popular in the U.S., often carrying stereotypes of drunkenness.
In informal spoken French, we often skip pronouncing 'ne' with negated verbs. So if I was speaking in a casual context, I'd say, “Je sais pas.” To go even further, many French speakers blend the je and sais into something that might sound like “jsais pas” of even “shay pas.” This is how I say it!
MDR. MDR in French stands for Mort de rire. The phrase literally means “Dead from laughter” but a more appropriate translation is “laughing out loud” or the more text-friendly “LOL”.
"French Leave" was a mildly racist term for desertion. Not leaving a party. Like other phrases like "Dutch courage" or "Dutch uncle" (both implying falseness), they were a reflection of who we were fighting at the time.
Dutch leave (uncountable) An absence without permission.
In case you guys don't know it yet, a Polish exit is the way Germans describe leaving without saying goodbye. I've heard some people call it French Leave in English? Slinking off, sneaking off, sloping off.
To respond to "Ça va?", use simple, context-dependent answers like "Ça va bien, merci, et toi/vous?" (Very well, thanks, and you?) for positive, polite replies, or "Pas mal" (Not bad), "Bof" (Meh/So-so), or even "Ça va mal" (Not well) for more nuanced feelings, often followed by asking back "Et toi?" (informal) or "Et vous?" (formal).
In English, it's called a “French exit”—leaving quietly, without a word. But in France, they call it “partir à l'anglaise”—to leave the English way. It's a little cultural joke that cuts both ways, like a mirror reflecting a mirror.
C'est bon literally means "it's good" — but in real spoken French, it's one of the most flexible expressions you'll ever hear.
1) “Au revoir” (“goodbye” – literally, “until we see each other again”) is the most common way of expressing that you hope to see someone again soon. If you're looking for a little variety, you can also use the equivalent expression “on se revoit bientôt” (“see you soon”).
Absquatulate (v.) To leave without saying goodbye.
In common parlance, an Irish exit (or "Irish goodbye") refers to someone leaving a social gathering without notifying the host. “An 'Irish exit' is another name for slipping out the back (or front) door seemingly unnoticed by the host,” national etiquette expert Diane Gottsman tells TODAY.com.
Highly educated foreign nationals working in the Netherlands (expats) may be eligible for an annual tax-free allowance from their employer of up to 30% of their salary. This tax benefit is intended to compensate employees for the additional expenses they incur, such as those relating to travel or furnishing a home.
A Dutch treat is a date or an affair where each attendee pays their own way. Similar terms are Dutch lunch, Dutch party, and Dutch supper, as well as the phrase to go Dutch. The term originated as an ethnic slur, referring to the stereotype of the Dutch being a parsimonious people.
It is generally impolite to accept on the first offer, if you are offered a second time it may be considered impolite not to accept something, even just a glass of water. If you are invited to someone's house for dinner it is polite to bring something such as a box of chocolate or a bottle of wine for the host.
The individual goodbyes are exhausting and so time consuming. For some gatherings it can take an hour just to say goodbye - ridiculous! I have always felt the “Irish exit” was a much politer way for all.
Good luck in French for theater performances
Whereas the English expression is “break a leg”, the French equivalent is “je te dis merde,” often just shortened to “merde.” Be careful, though, since this slang expression borders on vulgar, so use it with care. C'est la première ce soir. / Je te dis merde !
srx. sérieux. seriously. tjr, tjs, tjrs. toujours.
A TT = à tout à l'heure. “Talk to you later.” Similar to “TTYL.” Je re = je reviens tout de suite. Same as “BRB” or “Be right back” in English.
Too Darn Many. Online jargon, also known as text message shorthand, used primarily in texting, online chat, instant messaging, email, blogs, and newsgroup postings, these types of abbreviations are also referred to as chat acronyms.