all the best

Guest   Sat Aug 30, 2008 9:56 pm GMT
People say this in writing but I never saw it being used in oral conversation.
Is it only for writing?


plus, does "all the worst" mean hello?
Skippy   Sat Aug 30, 2008 10:49 pm GMT
This is one way you would end a letter... For example:

Emily,

How've you been? Hope you're doing well.

All the best,
Skippy

I want to say it's short for "I wish you all the best" and isn't really the same as "goodbye," so saying "all the worst" would be perceived as rude rather than "hello."
Uriel   Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:31 am GMT
<<plus, does "all the worst" mean hello? >>

No, silly! Just because "hello" is considered the opposite of "goodbye" doesn't mean that each variation on the sentiment has a direct grammatical opposite that means the other! No one uses "all the worst" for anything, unless they are being facetious or spiteful -- and even then, it would still be a (rahter spiteful) closing comment, not a greeting.