Origin of "I wish you well to wear them"

August 16, 2024 10:15 PM

My late mother would always say "I wish you well to wear them/it" when someone acquired some nice new clothes or shoes. I have never heard anyone else say this. She was raised by Yiddish-speaking parents (Litvaks if that helps) but they only spoke English at home. I kind of feel that the slightly odd syntax might indicate a Yiddish origin. Is there a saying like this that might have been current at one time, and where/when/what language or culture would be?
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen to Writing & Language (2 answers total)

Sounds like an alternate translation of “wear it in good health”.
posted by supercres at 10:26 PM on August 16 [5 favorites]

Response by poster: Ha, guess what I found linked at the bottom of that page!

Thank you very much, I guess that's case closed.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 10:30 PM on August 16 [6 favorites]