What does it mean to say “goodnight” instead of “goodbye”?
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For example: in Helena by My Chemical Romance, he says goodnight to his grandma instead of saying goodbye to her. Is this only something you say to someone who's died? Is it just easier to say goodnight instead of goodbye? What if someone says this to someone who hasn't died? What do they mean? Do they mean that they may come back at some point and they're just saying goodnight for now? Does saying goodnight mean goodbye for now or see you later?
meaning phrases differences usage slang
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down vote
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For example: in Helena by My Chemical Romance, he says goodnight to his grandma instead of saying goodbye to her. Is this only something you say to someone who's died? Is it just easier to say goodnight instead of goodbye? What if someone says this to someone who hasn't died? What do they mean? Do they mean that they may come back at some point and they're just saying goodnight for now? Does saying goodnight mean goodbye for now or see you later?
meaning phrases differences usage slang
asked 2 hours ago
sugar_cactus
1
New contributor
sugar_cactus is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I don't know the film. But from your description, it sounds as if he is making a point of avoiding saying goodbye - perhaps because that would be too painful.
– Colin Fine
2 hours ago
2
Lyrics of pop songs are not reliable examples of usage. Often the words are chosen to fit the tune, or to provide a rhyme. However, apparently the song is said to be a tribute to the (then) recently defunct grandmother of two former band members. "Good night", which is normally said to someone about to sleep, is often seen in sentimental remarks e.g. in social media, addressed to recently dead loved ones, as if the belief that the departed person is not dead, but only sleeping, is a comfort.
– Michael Harvey
2 hours ago
Adding to what Michael said, this is the case in every language I know of (and I struggle to think of a reason why it wouldn't be the case in any language I don't). Meaning to say, this is really off-topic as not specific to English.
– RegDwigнt♦
1 hour ago
@Reg - offtopic? Absolutely.
– Michael Harvey
1 hour ago
When I was six years old, my mother told me that my grandmother had "fallen asleep in Jesus", which I found a terrifying notion. I think I tried not to sleep that night.
– Michael Harvey
1 hour ago
add a comment |
up vote
0
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up vote
0
down vote
favorite
For example: in Helena by My Chemical Romance, he says goodnight to his grandma instead of saying goodbye to her. Is this only something you say to someone who's died? Is it just easier to say goodnight instead of goodbye? What if someone says this to someone who hasn't died? What do they mean? Do they mean that they may come back at some point and they're just saying goodnight for now? Does saying goodnight mean goodbye for now or see you later?
meaning phrases differences usage slang
asked 2 hours ago
sugar_cactus
1
New contributor
sugar_cactus is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
For example: in Helena by My Chemical Romance, he says goodnight to his grandma instead of saying goodbye to her. Is this only something you say to someone who's died? Is it just easier to say goodnight instead of goodbye? What if someone says this to someone who hasn't died? What do they mean? Do they mean that they may come back at some point and they're just saying goodnight for now? Does saying goodnight mean goodbye for now or see you later?
meaning phrases differences usage slang
meaning phrases differences usage slang
asked 2 hours ago
sugar_cactus
1
New contributor
sugar_cactus is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 hours ago
sugar_cactus
1
New contributor
sugar_cactus is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 hours ago
sugar_cactus
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sugar_cactus is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 hours ago
sugar_cactus
1
asked 2 hours ago
sugar_cactus
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1
New contributor
sugar_cactus is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor
sugar_cactus is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
sugar_cactus is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I don't know the film. But from your description, it sounds as if he is making a point of avoiding saying goodbye - perhaps because that would be too painful.
– Colin Fine
2 hours ago
2
Lyrics of pop songs are not reliable examples of usage. Often the words are chosen to fit the tune, or to provide a rhyme. However, apparently the song is said to be a tribute to the (then) recently defunct grandmother of two former band members. "Good night", which is normally said to someone about to sleep, is often seen in sentimental remarks e.g. in social media, addressed to recently dead loved ones, as if the belief that the departed person is not dead, but only sleeping, is a comfort.
– Michael Harvey
2 hours ago
Adding to what Michael said, this is the case in every language I know of (and I struggle to think of a reason why it wouldn't be the case in any language I don't). Meaning to say, this is really off-topic as not specific to English.
– RegDwigнt♦
1 hour ago
@Reg - offtopic? Absolutely.
– Michael Harvey
1 hour ago
When I was six years old, my mother told me that my grandmother had "fallen asleep in Jesus", which I found a terrifying notion. I think I tried not to sleep that night.
– Michael Harvey
1 hour ago
add a comment |
I don't know the film. But from your description, it sounds as if he is making a point of avoiding saying goodbye - perhaps because that would be too painful.
– Colin Fine
2 hours ago
2
Lyrics of pop songs are not reliable examples of usage. Often the words are chosen to fit the tune, or to provide a rhyme. However, apparently the song is said to be a tribute to the (then) recently defunct grandmother of two former band members. "Good night", which is normally said to someone about to sleep, is often seen in sentimental remarks e.g. in social media, addressed to recently dead loved ones, as if the belief that the departed person is not dead, but only sleeping, is a comfort.
– Michael Harvey
2 hours ago
Adding to what Michael said, this is the case in every language I know of (and I struggle to think of a reason why it wouldn't be the case in any language I don't). Meaning to say, this is really off-topic as not specific to English.
– RegDwigнt♦
1 hour ago
@Reg - offtopic? Absolutely.
– Michael Harvey
1 hour ago
When I was six years old, my mother told me that my grandmother had "fallen asleep in Jesus", which I found a terrifying notion. I think I tried not to sleep that night.
– Michael Harvey
1 hour ago
I don't know the film. But from your description, it sounds as if he is making a point of avoiding saying goodbye - perhaps because that would be too painful.
– Colin Fine
2 hours ago
I don't know the film. But from your description, it sounds as if he is making a point of avoiding saying goodbye - perhaps because that would be too painful.
– Colin Fine
2 hours ago
2
2
Lyrics of pop songs are not reliable examples of usage. Often the words are chosen to fit the tune, or to provide a rhyme. However, apparently the song is said to be a tribute to the (then) recently defunct grandmother of two former band members. "Good night", which is normally said to someone about to sleep, is often seen in sentimental remarks e.g. in social media, addressed to recently dead loved ones, as if the belief that the departed person is not dead, but only sleeping, is a comfort.
– Michael Harvey
2 hours ago
Lyrics of pop songs are not reliable examples of usage. Often the words are chosen to fit the tune, or to provide a rhyme. However, apparently the song is said to be a tribute to the (then) recently defunct grandmother of two former band members. "Good night", which is normally said to someone about to sleep, is often seen in sentimental remarks e.g. in social media, addressed to recently dead loved ones, as if the belief that the departed person is not dead, but only sleeping, is a comfort.
– Michael Harvey
2 hours ago
Adding to what Michael said, this is the case in every language I know of (and I struggle to think of a reason why it wouldn't be the case in any language I don't). Meaning to say, this is really off-topic as not specific to English.
– RegDwigнt♦
1 hour ago
Adding to what Michael said, this is the case in every language I know of (and I struggle to think of a reason why it wouldn't be the case in any language I don't). Meaning to say, this is really off-topic as not specific to English.
– RegDwigнt♦
1 hour ago
@Reg - offtopic? Absolutely.
– Michael Harvey
1 hour ago
@Reg - offtopic? Absolutely.
– Michael Harvey
1 hour ago
When I was six years old, my mother told me that my grandmother had "fallen asleep in Jesus", which I found a terrifying notion. I think I tried not to sleep that night.
– Michael Harvey
1 hour ago
When I was six years old, my mother told me that my grandmother had "fallen asleep in Jesus", which I found a terrifying notion. I think I tried not to sleep that night.
– Michael Harvey
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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I don't know the film. But from your description, it sounds as if he is making a point of avoiding saying goodbye - perhaps because that would be too painful.
– Colin Fine
2 hours ago
2
Lyrics of pop songs are not reliable examples of usage. Often the words are chosen to fit the tune, or to provide a rhyme. However, apparently the song is said to be a tribute to the (then) recently defunct grandmother of two former band members. "Good night", which is normally said to someone about to sleep, is often seen in sentimental remarks e.g. in social media, addressed to recently dead loved ones, as if the belief that the departed person is not dead, but only sleeping, is a comfort.
– Michael Harvey
2 hours ago
Adding to what Michael said, this is the case in every language I know of (and I struggle to think of a reason why it wouldn't be the case in any language I don't). Meaning to say, this is really off-topic as not specific to English.
– RegDwigнt♦
1 hour ago
@Reg - offtopic? Absolutely.
– Michael Harvey
1 hour ago
When I was six years old, my mother told me that my grandmother had "fallen asleep in Jesus", which I found a terrifying notion. I think I tried not to sleep that night.
– Michael Harvey
1 hour ago