# UK Dopers: What is the correct response to "Alright?" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 9, 2008, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606 "2008-04-09T13:57:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/21 "2008-04-09T17:47:49Z")
The “Are you alright?” as a greeting threw me off when I first went to England, because in Canada when someone says that to you, it’s because they have a reason to believe you are not alright (e.g “Oh my, you’ve fallen down a manhole! Are you alright?” or “I just found out about your car accident, are you alright?”) So in the beginning when I heard it I would get worried and check myself for blood. But then I got the hang of it, it’s a much quicker conversation than you get with the other ones. Witness: You: Are you alright? Me: Alright! vs You: Hey, how’s it going? Me: Great, thanks, and you? You: Fine, thanks It’s a much quicker conversation. In fact, I got so hooked on it that I still say it regularly (and people respond with predictable confusion). In fact I said it to a guy only yesterday (even tho I haven’t been in the UK in years). He said “How’s it going?” and I said “Alright” because I didn’t have time to say more. And then I got worried because I realized that I was supposed to ask him how HE was, and I didn’t. In general the “how’s it going?” model is slightly more onerous. Maybe I spend too much time worrying about these things. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/22 "2008-04-09T18:01:07Z")
A guy I used to work with would always ask “How’s it hangin’?” I would answer with a hand gesture indicating a point about ten inches below my crotch. ---
**Author:** ![Martha\_Medea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@Martha\_Medea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martha_Medea)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/23 "2008-04-09T18:05:04Z")
The correct response is “lovely jubbly”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![manx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/65b543/32.png) [@manx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manx)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/24 "2008-04-09T18:09:04Z")
[QUOTE=sandra\_nz] I’ve recently started a new job and the people here have a tendency to greet me in the hallway with “Alright?”. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to respond. I tend to say “Good thanks, and you?” which sounds naff. Am I just supposed to say “Alright?” in return? [/QUOTE] Respond in fine Kiwi form! ‘Aww yea, nah, not bad’ is how I used to respond. Six months over here and I still can’t say ‘alright’ as a geeting without feeling like a bit of a poser. I say ‘fit’ and ‘pikey’ now, so I guess ‘alright’ will follow. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/25 "2008-04-09T18:22:19Z")
I’ve been known to pass by pts in the hall and ask them, “you ok?” and just keep walking by as they are clearly up and walking so they must be ok, which I think may be the Midwest equivalent to UK’d “all right?” I have heard “all right then?” more often–maybe they’re just leaving off the “then”? Although, come to think of it, the “all right, then?” seems to come after something has happened–the waitress got you a clean spoon or someone helped you pick up a dropped newpaper… Seems to me that all right serves the same purpose of greeting as “how are you?”. In neither case does the person truly want to know how you are. When is it appropriate to say “cheery bye”? I know it’s a farewell, but I can’t figure out when it’s used. ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/26 "2008-04-09T19:52:38Z")
Can I borrow this thread for another UK question? I went to a conference and one of the vendors in the exposition is from the UK. They gave me this lovely little desk-sign with different amusing phrases bound together with wire. You know, like “Hung Over, Please Speak Quietly” and “Available To Go To The Pub” and “What Did Your Last Servant Die Of?” Well, one of them says “On Your Bike.” WTF? What does that mean? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/27 "2008-04-09T19:53:04Z")
> [@](#): > > When is it appropriate to say “cheery bye”? When your feeling slightly twee and wish to be punched in the face? It’s not very common at all and sounds like a variation on “cheerio”, which is getting old-fashioned now. [ETA] “On your bike” means “please leave immediately”, “hop it” etc. That is “(get) on your bike (and piss off somewhere else).” ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/28 "2008-04-09T19:59:02Z")
YOU’RE!! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![JR\_Brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JR\_Brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JR_Brown)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/29 "2008-04-09T20:06:38Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] Okely Dokely neighbour [/QUOTE] Ahem. Okely Dokely _neighborino_. Amateur [QUOTE=Usram] It’s not very common at all and sounds like a variation on “cheerio”, which is getting old-fashioned now. [/QUOTE] Really? Only just now? 😃 JRB Unless you aren’t quoting Ned Flanders? ---
**Author:** ![MJinks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@MJinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MJinks)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/30 "2008-04-09T20:12:29Z")
I’ll usually just nod my head in reply. You’re just acknowledging each others presence out of politeness, you don’t really care how they are. It feels awkward to walk past someone, while making eye contact, and not saying/doing anything. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/31 "2008-04-09T20:16:51Z")
[QUOTE=JR Brown] Ahem. Okely Dokely _neighborino_. Amateur… [/QUOTE] Dammit, I was _just_ going to say that! ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/32 "2008-04-09T20:38:43Z")
[QUOTE=Usram] [ETA] “On your bike” means “please leave immediately”, “hop it” etc. That is “(get) on your bike (and piss off somewhere else).” [/QUOTE] Ah. Thanks. Well that one’s wasted here, because no one would have any idea what I meant if I had that sign up. So today I have the one that says “No Geeks Permitted” with a (hand-drawn) big red X across “No.” I mean, jeez, I work in IT. If geeks weren’t permitted, I’d be very lonely in my office. 😛 (Hell, I’d probably not be permitted in my own office!) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/33 "2008-04-09T21:13:58Z")
[QUOTE=TroubleAgain] …So today I have the one that says “No Geeks Permitted” with a (hand-drawn) big red X across “No.” … [/QUOTE] That seems like a double negative to me, meaning that geeks _are_ permitted. Was that what you meant? ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/34 "2008-04-09T21:15:51Z")
[QUOTE=Butterscotch] You can reply with an " 'right" or “aw-right” as others have said. Just try and avoid the temptation of saying,“No, I’m half left.” 🙂 [/QUOTE] You spoil all my fun - I do this all the time. But then, I’m a kiwi, so it’s allowed. Si ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/35 "2008-04-10T06:36:14Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] A guy I used to work with would always ask “How’s it hangin’?” I would answer with a hand gesture indicating a point about ten inches below my crotch. [/QUOTE] The correct response is "Long and danglin’ ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/36 "2008-04-10T07:16:13Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] A guy I used to work with would always ask “How’s it hangin’?” I would answer with a hand gesture indicating a point about ten inches below my crotch. [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=chowder] The correct response is "Long and danglin’ [/QUOTE] “_Duct-taped to my thigh to protect my trousers_” 😉 Si ---
**Author:** ![manx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/65b543/32.png) [@manx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manx)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/37 "2008-04-10T07:19:57Z")
[QUOTE=si\_blakely] You spoil all my fun - I do this all the time. But then, I’m a kiwi, so it’s allowed. [/QUOTE] How many UK-based Kiwis are there on the Dope? Do we outnumber those we left behind? ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/38 "2008-04-10T07:25:50Z")
The correct response is: “It’s spelled ‘All Right’ and not ‘alright’, which is not a word.” ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/39 "2008-04-10T08:42:34Z")
If someone says it to me as we’re walking past each other in the street, with no time to stop and chat, I reply with an “All right”. If we’re able to stop and chat, I reply with “Not bad, how’re things?” which leaves the other person the option of opening up the conversation or passing. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606/40 "2008-04-10T08:47:52Z")
[QUOTE=GuanoLad] The correct response is: “It’s spelled ‘All Right’ and not ‘alright’, which is not a word.” [/QUOTE] IME, when a Brit says “alright”, they don’t pronounce the “al” as “all”, rather, it’s the same sound as “al” in “always”, a much shorter sound. “All right” and “alright” are two different pronunciations, even if some pedants refuse to accept that “alright” is a word, despite it resolving some ambiguity, falling in line with a general pattern in English, and being a perfectly natural spelling for a large number of people (c.f. this thread). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-is-the-correct-response-to-alright/444606.md?page=3)