long time no see

Meaning

Interjection

• I (or we) have not seen you for a long time.

Origin

• Unknown. Attested US 1901, presented as pidgin English by a Native American. Possibly a , comparable to no can do or chop-chop – if so, most likely US Chinatown origin, alternatively British Far East such as Hong Kong. Alternatively, native American origin, or native coinage as pidgin, particularly in cinematic portrayals of native Americans; compare language used by Tonto (1930s).