Re: OT: The greetings problem (Re: Never violate a universal unless it seems like a good idea at the time)

Joe scripsit:

> I would suggest that, as it has no connotations to the majority of
> people(That is, non-americans, and those reaching adulthood after the draft
> ended), that you should not be worried about using it.
Absolutely.  I only included that anecdote for the fun of it: the
important point is that "Greetings" is used only at the beginning of
letters (or when you meet someone), never at the end (or when you part
from someone).

A similar oddity is that "Good night" can only be used at parting;
at meeting, one must say "Good evening" no matter how late it is.
Consequently, the English lyrics to the Brahms Lullaby begin "Lullaby and
good night" ("lullaby" is a word of imitative origin meaning a sleeping
song sung by a mother to a baby); "good evening and good night" would
sound like meeting and parting in immediate succession.

--
All Norstrilians knew what laughter was:        John Cowan
it was "pleasurable corrigible malfunction".    http://www.reutershealth.com
        --Cordwainer Smith, _Norstrilia_        jcowan@reutershealth.com

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