Comments on: What to say instead of Good Luck

Question: What to say instead of Good Luck

finite — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:42:38 -0800

What are some less superstitious-sounding alternatives to the phrase "Good Luck"?

I frequently find myself saying good luck to people, often after I've been only able to partially answer something asked of me, and lately I've begun to question the usefulness of the phrase. What I usually really mean to say is something more along the lines of "I'm sorry that I wasn't able to solve your problem completely, and I sincerely hope that you're able to" but that is a lot more syllables. I'd like to avoid giving anybody the impression that I'm praying for them or crossing my fingers or knocking on wood etc. I'm sure that lots of people who do not consider themselves to be superstitious say "good luck" regularly and think nothing of it, but because so many people in the world are extremely superstitious I'd like to lessen my use of the phrase. What are some good alternatives?

By: desuetude

desuetude — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:44:13 -0800

Best wishes (a bit formal, though.)

Cheers (works very well, but some people will think you're trying to be British.)

By: M.C. Lo-Carb!

M.C. Lo-Carb! — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:45:29 -0800

fare thee well

By: Autarky

Autarky — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:48:43 -0800

Godspeed. Do well. Break a leg.

By: Nelsormensch

Nelsormensch — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:50:09 -0800

Simple: "Sorry I couldn't help more, take care/cheers."

By: dondiego87

dondiego87 — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:50:19 -0800

More syllables than the above but less than your italicized suggestion: "Let me know how it goes."

Related but doesn't solve your problem: People in theater use the phrase "Break a leg." Of course, the reason they use that is because of the superstitious belief that "Good luck" will bring bad luck, so you've still got that entangled.

By: jtron

jtron — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:53:10 -0800

"Godspeed" might not be the best choice if the questioner is trying to avoid the taint of superstition.

A friend of mine used to tell people "I hope you win!"

By: sweetkid

sweetkid — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:55:34 -0800

I second "Let me know how it goes." I think Cheers is good, but in America people might get it confused with a toast. That would be out of place, but could be how it is associated.

By: burnmp3s

burnmp3s — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:58:07 -0800

I don't say it myself, but I knew a guy who always said "Keep fighting the good fight" in those situations.

By: greenskpr

greenskpr — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:59:49 -0800

'I hope it works out', or 'I bet it'll work out' (whether you believe it will or not)...

By: Cool Papa Bell

Cool Papa Bell — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:02:40 -0800

Break a leg

"Break a leg" is superstitious. The idea is that you will "jinx" someone by wishing them good luck, so you wish them the complete opposite of good luck.

Kinda like mentioning to a pitcher that he has a no-hitter going. Don't mention it -- you might scare the good luck away or something. Or you give the pitcher the idea that he should do well, given the current state of things, so he tries too hard to do well, which screws everything up.

By: adamrice

adamrice — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:03:20 -0800

I think you're overthinking this plate of beans, but I'll take a stab at it anyhow:

Be a Viking!

By: unknowncommand

unknowncommand — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:04:47 -0800

"I hope it works out".

By: Metroid Baby

Metroid Baby — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:04:56 -0800

When I say "good luck," I usually mean "I'm rooting for you." Maybe something to that effect?

By: finite

finite — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:05:05 -0800

I like fare thee well and cheers, but I'm leery of saying best wishes because I think that is even more likely to be misinterpreted as a belief in the power-of-prayer than good luck is.

On preview: Godspeed and break a leg are definitely out :)
Take care is good, and I do say that sometimes, but it doesn't convey the sentiment of I hope you win. I think let me know how it goes is ideal for situations where I actually do want to know how it went, but sometimes I might actually not ever talk to the person again and I really don't need to know how it went, even if I still do hope they win, so to speak.

I think I hope it works out is the best answer yet, thanks greenskpr!

By: jedicus

jedicus — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:09:22 -0800

This was asked about a few months ago here.

By: AlliKat75

AlliKat75 — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:14:39 -0800

I'm kind of partial to, "May the force be with you."

By: kidbritish

kidbritish — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:14:58 -0800

Supposedly, Capt. Smith of the Titanic told his men to "be British." Presumably meaning honourable. I guess this isn't any better than superstition, if you wish to avoid confusing people.

In a "goodbye" context, you could say "fare well".
Or "be well".
Or "strength".
Or "take care".

By: ninazer0

ninazer0 — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:15:26 -0800

I generally say "Go forth and conquer!", but I have odd friends and we tend to find this more a joke than a wish.

By: finite

finite — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:16:43 -0800

Sorry for the double, I'm reading that thread now. It didn't show up in the first few pages of this google search, which amazingly does already have this thread (less than 30 minutes after I posted it).

By: WCityMike

WCityMike — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:25:39 -0800

All the best.

By: cashman

cashman — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:27:37 -0800

"Hope this helps!"

By: pupdog

pupdog — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:28:32 -0800

It's in the other thread, but 'Have fun storming the castle' works for me, but I only use it on folks I think will get it.

By: Salvatorparadise

Salvatorparadise — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:30:05 -0800

past post

By: saladin

saladin — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:33:30 -0800

In German, I'm led to believe that the phrase Schwein Haben (Have pigs!) is used as a way of saying 'good luck.' I've always been partial myself.

By: infinitewindow

infinitewindow — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:35:57 -0800

Have a better one!

By: Jabberwocky

Jabberwocky — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:42:36 -0800

"Good skill"

(also previously).

By: saladin

saladin — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:45:08 -0800

Oops, that shouldn't be plural; it means "have pig."

By: finite

finite — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:47:23 -0800

Well, there are a lot of good answers in that other thread, and some good ones here too, but I'm still lacking something with brevity of good luck and the meaning of I hope you win and a comfortable appropriateness for ending a conversation where the other party is left facing an unresolved problem. Be a viking, Qapla', Live long and prosper, and May the force be with you are all good if the person you're speaking to is likely to grok those references, but (and this may be shocking to some) I sometimes interact with people who aren't.

Keep the suggestions coming, please!

By: bruce

bruce — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:51:52 -0800

have a nice day!

By: divabat

divabat — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:57:05 -0800

My boyfriend would always tell me "you'll be right".

By: tehloki

tehloki — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:58:43 -0800

"Gesundeit"

At least it'll make them laugh.

By: enfa

enfa — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:05:07 -0800

I've used many of the above, plus:
Keep on keepin' on;
Have fun;
If you get it sorted out, let me know;
Don't blame me;
You've got my number if you need more help;
Don't fret, it'll get fixed somehow;
Don't take any wooden nickels;
See you later alligator;
I'll call you if I come up with anything else.
But mostly, "cheers".

By: nedpwolf

nedpwolf — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:05:58 -0800

"Don't get any on you."

By: Abiezer

Abiezer — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:10:49 -0800

"Up and at 'em" or 'Go get 'em." You can add "tiger" if you really want to go to town.

By: sim.possible

sim.possible — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:17:10 -0800

"less superstitious-sounding"?

Fundamentally, isn't it superstitious to believe that any kind of good wish, however worded, makes any difference?

By: ludwig_van

ludwig_van — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:18:49 -0800

Take courage!

By: electric water kettle

electric water kettle — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:34:53 -0800

"Godspeed" might not be the best choice if the questioner is trying to avoid the taint of superstition.

In my experience, people today use "Godspeed" as a sort of ironic antique -- a way to simultaneously make a joke and (generally not unseriously) wish someone well. Not appropriate across the whole range of contexts you're seeking a word for, of course.

By: unknowncommand

unknowncommand — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:38:11 -0800

Rock on.

By: Stewriffic

Stewriffic — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:40:08 -0800

"I'm with ya!"

By: finite

finite — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:43:18 -0800

Fundamentally, isn't it superstitious to believe that any kind of good wish, however worded, makes any difference?

No. I think some words of encouragement can go a long way, especially when somebody is bordering on deciding they're unable to solve their problem. I don't see anything superstitious about that. I suppose that what I really mean in many circumstances when I say good luck, is actually I hope you don't give up because, despite that I have not solved it, I think this is a solvable problem. Except, sometimes I say it about problems that aren't really very likely to be adequately solved; but still, I hope they don't give up.

I think "don't stop trying" could work well in some contexts.

By: twistofrhyme

twistofrhyme — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:18:59 -0800

said with a friendly smile and a whisper of irony:
"i think you're in pretty good shape here!"
"i'm voting for you!"
"you're not sweatin' it."
"you're golden."
"i think you're doing great."
"i'm confident you can beat this thing."
"this one's all yours."

or

"will that hold you for now?"
"i'll let you know if anything else comes down the pipe!"

By: sim.possible

sim.possible — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:21:11 -0800

Fair point, finite. What about a simple "You can do it" or "I'm sure you'll find a way"

By: finite

finite — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:29:18 -0800

sim.possible, those are good, but you can do it is a little cheesy I think.

Your question earlier made me think more about why I want to express hope in these situations (to be encouraging), so thanks for posting that. I suppose that words of encouragement are what I'm really looking for.

By: sgt.serenity

sgt.serenity — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:33:32 -0800

lang may yer lum reek.

(yeah, i know.)

By: Catch

Catch — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:34:09 -0800

Good Hunting!
/junglebook

By: Pinback

Pinback — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:48:10 -0800

Maybe not quite what you're after, but I tend to say "Enjoy!" as a sort of shorthand for something like "Good luck, she'll be right, don't give up, and come out the other side smiling".

At least, they're the thoughts that are in my mind as I say it. Though I did have to explain it once - to a friend who'd, last time we met, told me he had cancer.

By: sim.possible

sim.possible — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:00:39 -0800

With expressing encouragement, I guess it depends on how well you know them and the situation.

So if you're 411 and you can't find a restaurant for them, the most you can probably say is "Sorry about that, hope you find it". If you told them "Believe in yourself, I know you'll find it!" you'd probably sound very odd and patronizing.

However if you're a fellow math professor, it would probably be more appropriate to tell them "Well, if anyone can figure it out, you can".

What kind of situation/context do you most need this line for?

By: mdn

mdn — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:11:32 -0800

What are some less superstitious-sounding alternatives to the phrase "Good Luck"?

"good luck" isn't inherently superstitious. it would be superstitious if the sayer thought that by saying it, he or she was actually causing beneficial fates to transpire over the person it was said to. But it can be said - I would think usually is said - just to wish or hope the other person good luck with their endeavor. So when you say it you are just a) acknowledging that not everything is within the person's control, but some of it is chance or random coincidence (luck), and b) letting them know that you hope that those random factors happen to go positively (good) for them (since you already trust that their effort, intelligence, ability, etc will be going positively).

If you're really uncomfortable talking about luck, I'd go with "hope it works out" but honestly I think you're worrying unnecessarily.

By: MaxK

MaxK — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:13:26 -0800

"You'll get it."

By: sim.possible

sim.possible — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:24:04 -0800

It's interesting that finite says "because so many people in the world are extremely superstitious I'd like to lessen my use of the phrase".

I'd imagine that the best way to encourage someone extremely superstitious would be to say "Spin around three times in your chair and the answer will come to you - I know so because a revered Tibetan monk told me so!"

By: crustix

crustix — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:28:25 -0800

Not exactly (remotely?) what you are looking for but I've always found parting with "Be safe" to be of comfort on the receiving end.

By: SlyBevel

SlyBevel — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:56:05 -0800

You could take the Han Solo approach, and follow your "Good Luck" with a shrug, and "You're gonna need it."

By: ubiquity

ubiquity — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:07:22 -0800

People in theater use the phrase "Break a leg."

In English they do. Italian-speaking performers say "En boca al lupo" ("In the mouth of the wolf" -- the required response is "Crepi il lupo!" which means "Death to the wolf!"). French-speaking performers say, more simply, "Merde!", which might very well be appropriate for your usage.

By: eritain

eritain — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:03:53 -0800

"Hope you get it."

"Ganbatte."

"Imitate the action of the tiger: Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood." Or, simply, "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more."

"Screw your courage to the sticking-place, and we'll not fail."

"Fight on, fight on, dear old Muncie,
Fight on; hoist the gold and blue.
You'll be tattered, torn, and hurtin'
Once the Munce is done with you."

By: asuprenant

asuprenant — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:28:50 -0800

Knock 'em dead.

By: dirtdirt

dirtdirt — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:20:44 -0800

Smooth sailing.

By: chengjih

chengjih — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:29:43 -0800

Heh. HTH HAND.

By: DevilsAdvocate

DevilsAdvocate — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:43:51 -0800

And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

By: poq

poq — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 08:04:16 -0800

Be ever vigilant.

By: eritain

eritain — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 13:15:30 -0800

Or just "Screw your courage." Among friends, you know.