this post was submitted on 01 Oct 2024
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Overmorrow refers to the day after tomorrow and I feel like it comes in quite handy for example.

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[–] tetris11@lemmy.ml 29 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (10 children)

Not a word, but there's a specific phrase uttered when you casually pass by someone working, stop for a chat, and then genuinely wish them well with their work as you leave.

This phrase does not exist in English:

  • "Break a leg" is close, but more reserved for some grand performance

Nor does it exist in German:

  • "Viel Spass/GlΓΌck" (Have fun, Good Luck) is also close, but has an element of sarcasm and/or success through chance.
  • (Edit) "Frohes Schaffen" (Happy 'getting it done') is pretty spot on.

In Turkish, you just say "Kolay Gelsin", meaning "May the work come easy so that you finish sooner".

Its such a useful unjudgemental phrase, easily uttered, that I've seen nowhere else. Maybe other languages have it too.

[–] sanguinepar@lemmy.world 8 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Would "Have a good one" maybe serve that purpose? It's not exactly the same, but similar sentiment.

[–] tetris11@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Very true! At the same time, I feel like you would only say that to something that will happen and not something that is currently happening. Is that right?

[–] sanguinepar@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, I'd say so. Maybe something like "Take it easy" would fit better.

[–] MutilationWave@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

"... and if that don't work, take it sleazy."

[–] ReCursing@lemmings.world 2 points 2 months ago

"I would say 'don;t do anything I wouldn't do', but that doesn't rule out much"

[–] FooBarrington@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago

"May the odds be ever in your favor" works in almost any situation!

[–] stringere@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Reminds me of a much abbreviated version of this Irish prayer:

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

[–] tetris11@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 months ago

Exactly this kind of sentiment. Beautiful poem.

[–] boonhet@lemm.ee 3 points 2 months ago

β€œBreak a leg” is close, but more reserved for some grand performance

So in Estonian we have a bunch of those I don't remember because nobody uses them anymore. But the main one everyone knows is "Kivi kotti" (literally, stone/rock in your bag, but much like with "break a leg", you actually wish them well). It's still basically "good luck" but not so much for grand performances, it could just be for your first day of work, or going fishing (the real origin I guess). There's also "Nael kummi" which is "nail in your tire", which is reserved for people driving somewhere.

[–] BenLeMan@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Doesn't exist in German? What about "Frohes Schaffen"?

[–] tetris11@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 months ago

(I've literally never heard that said once, but it qualifies, so I'll add it)

[–] gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

"Good luck with/have fun with that!" In a pleasant tone while gesturing towards the act being done is enough, I've found

Unless it's clearly like, WORK, work, then something like "don't work too hard, there!" Is common

[–] tetris11@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

The tone of it is the same, but there's also a sarcastic interpretation of it though, and it can be applied liberally to lots of non-work situations

[–] ReCursing@lemmings.world 3 points 2 months ago

I use "have fun" completely unironically all the time. One time my partner's (Pakistani) carer thought I spoke Arabic because Afwan is apparently an Arabic salutation meaning approximately the same as "cheerio", "goodbye", or "you're welcome" in English. He also turns up around half one every day for added amusement

[–] philipsdirk@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 2 months ago

Dutch: 'Werk ze'

[–] naught101@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

I say "good luck" in a non-sarcastic tone to people whenever they head off on some banal errand. It gets some confused looks sometimes, laughs others.

[–] Zementid@feddit.nl 2 points 2 months ago

I will steal that one!