“Top of the morning to you” is an expression you may have seen in the past. This phrase is generally used in conversations, but you can also find it in books and music. This article will explain what “top of the morning to you” means, and how to use it.
Top of the Morning to You – Meaning
“Top of the morning to you” is an Irish expression used to greet people in the morning. The phrase is roughly synonymous with “I hope you have a great morning”. A more literal translation would be “best of the morning to you”.
“Top of the morning to you” is an elaborate way to greet someone. The phrase is not very popular in Ireland nowadays. However, it remains popular as a stereotypical Irish expression in other countries.
Take into consideration this example sentence:
- Top of the morning to you laddie, and I hope the rest of the day’s good, too.
In this case, the person opens with “top of the morning”. They’re wishing the other person a great morning. Then they say that they hope the rest of the day’s good, too.
Is “Top of the Morning to You” Formal?
“Top of the morning to you” is neither formal nor informal. It is akin to “good morning” instead. However, “top of the morning to you” is an archaic expression. Therefore, we’d still suggest that you refrain from using it in formal environments.
You should refrain from using it in the workplace, not because it’s informal. Rather, because it’s an uncommon expression. It might come off as confusing.
“Top of the morning to you” is not an offensive expression. The thing that could make it informal is saying it in an exaggerated Irish accent. The phrase on its own is not offensive.
What to Reply to “Top of the Morning to You”
Because “top of the morning to you” is such an odd expression, you might not know what to reply. In this section, we’re going to list several possible replies to the phrase. You’ll be prepared for any possible situation.
And the Rest of the Day to Yourself
“And the rest of the day to yourself” is the traditional response to “top of the morning to you”. You can use it as a reply when people use the phrase in a formal environment. “And the rest of the day to yourself” is the appropriate response.
Thank You
“Thank you” is a response to “top of the morning to you” that you can use in any situation. No matter the context, whether it’s formal or informal, you can use “thank you”. It’s good to remember in case the expression takes you by surprise.
Please Don’t Say That to Me
“Please don’t say that to me” is the response when people use “top of the morning to you” offensively. If someone says the phrase in a stereotypical irish accent, you can use “please don’t say that to me”. It’s a way of letting them know that you found it offensive.
Top of the Morning to You – Origin
“Top of the morning to you” comes from the meaning of the word “top” as in “the best”. Therefore, by wishing someone has “the top” of the morning, you’re wishing them the best. It’s good to remember that it’s a positive, cheerful greeting.
The phrase is thought to have come from Ireland. In fact, it’s become somewhat of a stereotype associated with Irish people. However, we don’t know who said it first.
Top of the Morning to You – Synonyms
“Top of the morning to you” is a fun phrase that helps you greet people in the morning. Of course, there are other phrases we can use for this exact purpose. Here are some synonym phrases for “top of the morning to you”:
- Good morning to you
- I hope you have a good morning
- Have a nice morning
- Have the best morning
- I hope you have the best morning
Correct Ways to Say “Top of the Morning to You”
“Top of the morning to you” is the sort of phrase that gets a lot of use over the decades. Because of that fact, there are several variations of the main phrase. These variations are still correct and valid. We’ve collected some correct ways to use the phrase here:
- Top o the morning
- Top o this morning
- Top o your morning to you
- Top of my morning to you
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
