see you later, alligator

English

Etymology

From the song See You Later, Alligator (1955), chosen for the rhyme.

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Phrase

see you later, alligator

1. (slang) au revoir, see you soon
   • 1955, Judson Jerome, Nolan Miller, New Campus Writings:

     Didn't know you were sick, Whitey, thought you were like […] some of the other times. From the top stair, See you later, alligator.

Usage notes

• The response is often in a while, crocodile or after a while, crocodile.

Translations

Extended form of see you later

• Dutch: aju paraplu
• French: à plus dans le bus (fr)
• Spanish: hasta luego cocodrilo, ciao pescado, con esto y un bizcocho, hasta las ocho
• Swedish: tack och hej leverpastej (literally “Thank you and goodbye, liver pâté”)
• Tok Pisin: lukim yu bihain pukpuk

See also

• later, skater
• later, tater
• you wish, jellyfish
• see you later, baked potato