wes hāl
The Old English way to say greetings is wes hāl.
wes hāl is used as a formal way of saying "hello".
Meaning: formal way of saying "hello" (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "be whole" or "be healthy".
Did you know?
- The word hāl also evolved into the modern English word 'holy'. In Old English, being 'whole' was closely tied to being sacred or pure.
- The sentiment behind wes hāl is preserved in the modern English word 'hail', as in 'hail to the chief'. While we now use it for formal acclaim, it began as a simple wish for a person to be 'whole'.
- While wes hāl was used as a greeting, the same root hāl was used in the Old English word for 'healing'. To greet someone was linguistically similar to offering them a cure or a remedy.
Examples in context
- Wes hāl, þū ealra kynna.Greetings, thou of all kin.
- Wes hāl, hlāford.Greetings, lord.
- Wes hāl, mægð.Greetings, kinswoman.
Example conversation
Two nobles meet in a Great Hall.
- ÆthelflædWes hāl, Æthelstan!Greetings, Æthelstan!
- ÆthelstanWes hāl, Æthelflæd.Greetings, Æthelflæd.
- ÆthelflædHū gæþ hit thē?How goes it with you?
- ÆthelstanHit gæþ me wel.It goes well with me.
