Comments on: On Valedictions

By: Lawrence

Lawrence — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:57:55 +0000

If you want to break from the valedictory norm, how about solidifying your departure by leaving behind words and instead using — wait for it — numbers?

Seventy three is morse code, frequently used by radio operators, to mean “best regards.”

There’s an idea, huh?

73,
Mr. Lawrence

By: Tor Nelson

Tor Nelson — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:40:50 +0000

The usage of conventional valedictions reveals nothing except the knowledge of conventions. If it is your intent to appear conventional in a given context, regards. An informal valediction does reveal something of ourselves, and I suppose that it is this revealing of ourselves that often makes it awkward. In an age of withering linguistic formalism, we have a freedom of expression that is also a burden of responsibility.

May your choices be prudent,

By: Bryce

Bryce — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:45:44 +0000

I too reach to other languages, and it’s hard to beat the origin of ‘vale-diction’ itself, Latin. Vale [pronounced wah-lay] is a command to be strong or well (valete when addressing a plural audience), and is the counterpart of the be-healthy salutation salve/salvete (seeing a pattern in our vocabulary?).

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:00:32 +0000

I enjoyed reading that very much, as I was just to the end of a business letter and didn’t know what would be appropriate to sign. I’m always more interested in the real value of something rather than what is commonly used. I detest the staleness of common valedictions and remember the people who use unique ones for a long time.

I wanted to see more examples of what people were using themselves.

oh well.

Farewell friends,
dave

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:17:41 +0000

Orlando: your reply-vediction made me smile.

By: Orlando

Orlando — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:33:17 +0000

Cordially,
Orlando

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:01:00 +0000

@Molly Glad you feel less odd.

By: Molly

Molly — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 23:36:54 +0000

Came across this when looking up valedictions. Totally hilarious and exactly how I feel! Thanks for making me not so odd!

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:02:41 +0000

@Rachel Thanks for the comment. I might have to use your ever-so-long valediction sometime!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 04:36:42 +0000

Thanks for posting this — I can truly relate!

I like to sign “In Christ” when writing to brothers or sisters in the faith, but I feel as though that’s too pushy for a nonbeliever (or if I don’t know). In those cases, I usually go for a simple “Sincerely” or “Best Regards” (though I never thought of that as being PC…)

Perhaps we could all be shaken out of our valediction-phobia by a return to the old English traditions, such as this one which I found on Wikipedia:

“I beg to remain, Sir, your most humble and obedient servant,”

Wonder how our business colleagues would take that =).