wes hāl
The Old English way to say cheers is wes hāl.
This phrase is used as a toast when drinking.
Meaning: toast when drinking (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase wes hāl is a command meaning 'be whole' or 'be healthy'. It consists of wes, which is the singular imperative of 'to be' and hāl, meaning 'whole' or 'healthy'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word wes functions as a singular imperative.
Did you know?
- The word hāl is also the linguistic root of the English word 'holy', as both terms originally referred to being 'whole' or 'unbroken'.
- The word hāl is a cognate of the Old Norse word heill, which was used in similar toasts by Vikings during the same era.
- The phrase wes hāl could be used as a greeting or a farewell as well as a toast, similar to how 'hello' or 'goodbye' functions today.
Examples in context
- Wes hāl, mīn frēond!Cheers, my friend!
Example conversation
Two friends are sharing a drink of mead in a hall.
- OsricUton drincan, Mildryth!Let us drink, Mildryth!
- MildrythWes hāl, Osric!Cheers, Osric!
- OsricSē meod is swīðe gōd.The mead is very good.
- MildrythGēa, hit is!Yes, it is!
