top of the morning

Meaning

Phrase

• A generic, cheerful greeting said to someone in the morning.

Origin

• A working-class phrase apparently once abundant throughout the British Isles in the Victorian era (not especially notable amongst the Irish vis-a-vis other peoples of the Isles), but was perhaps preserved slightly longer with the Irish and Irish diaspora. Possibly connected to a notion of fresh unhomogenised milk, where the desirable cream rises to the top (compare cream of the crop and creme de la creme), and thus wishing the listener to have an excellent day. Revived into popular consciousness, and associated with Irishmen, by American filmmakers in early 20th cent. movies like 1959's Darby O'Gill and the Little People; see more at the .
• Hypothesized connection to some old Celtic phrase is wanting.