Cheers!

Upon my arrival to Oxford 18 days ago, one of the first things I noticed, as I'm sure many of you have as well, was the widespread use of the word "cheers." I was first exposed to this phenomenon was back in April, during the planning of my trip to France before the start of our program. My friend James, whom I stayed with in Hossegor, is an English bloke who hails from Newquay in Cornwall (where we're heading to tomorrow). In the several emails that I exchanged with him before the trip, I couldn't help but notice how he always ended his replies with a proper "cheers." I didn't think much of it at the time, but when we arrived in Oxford the word began to take on a whole new life.

From what I have experienced thus far, "cheers" can have a variety of meanings. Prior to the trip the only way I had ever heard the word "cheers" used was as a salutation before consuming a beverage. I also knew it was a lame sitcom that was somewhat mediocre in comparison to Friends (sorry Cheers fans). However, after 18 days in England, I now realize the complexity of the word. Perhaps the most common way that I've heard "cheers" used over here is as way of saying "thank you," which I'm sure everyone has probably experienced by now. Usually when I buy something at a store, after paying, the clerk will send a "cheers" my way. On some occasions after saying "cheers," I have even heard "you're welcome" as a reply. However, the use of "cheers" does not stop there. The other day at the King's Arms, I was making my way through a rather dense crowd. I accidently bumped into some English bloke and said "excuse me," to which he replied, "cheers." After doing a tad bit of research, I have come to find out that "cheers" is also used as a way of saying "no worries." "Cheers" can also used in England as a way of saying "goodbye," or even "goodluck." Its use is also not limited to just England. This weekend, at the British Open in Scotland and in Glasgow, I heard "cheers" used just as frequently as in Oxford. I would also be willing to guess that it's used pretty regularly in Wales as well, I'll let you know after my excursion there next weekend. Basically, from this trip, I have learned that "cheers" could very well be the most versatile word in the English language.

In closing, I would like to ask everyone to begin partaking in the English tradition of "cheers." Maybe even a "cheers mate" from time to time. From what I've read on the world wide web about the subject, the English seem to appreciate it, and it's a way of sounding more like a local. After you start saying "cheers," you might find yourself getting into the habit of using it as a response to just about everything, as I already have. So in the spirit of England:

Cheers,

Marcus