go well, interjectional phrase

Origin:
IsiZulu, isiXhosa, Southern Sotho, SetswanaShow more Translation of isiZulu hamba kahle, isiXhosa hamba kakuhle, see hamba sense 2; phrases with similar meanings are also found in Southern Sotho and Setswana.
An expression of good wishes spoken upon parting by one staying behind to one leaving; hamba kahle, see hamba sense 2 a. See also stay well.
Note:
Originally almost exclusively used by writers to suggest Xhosa or Zulu dialogue, but now in common use among English-speakers.
1948 A. Paton Cry, Beloved Country 222‘Go well, umfundisi.’ ‘Stay well, inkosi.’
1951 P. Abrahams Wild Conquest 298‘Where do you journey?’ ‘To the land of the Basuto.’ ‘Go well, my friend.’ ‘Go well, white man.’
1960 R. Byron in D. Wright S. Afr. Stories 32‘Send a man down to my house. In about an hour’s time. Good. So, go well!’ He replaced the receiver.
1961 H. Stanton Go Well Stay Well 5‘Go well.’ ‘Stay well.’ Sesuto: ‘Tsamea pila.’ ‘Sala pila.’ These words constitute the customary expressions of good-will when African friends are parting. The friend who stays says to the friend who goes, ‘Go well,’ conveying the thought, ‘May God protect you on your journey.’
1979 Y. Burgess Say Little Mantra 2‘Another summer,’ she said. ‘Go well then. And say a little mantra for me.’
1979 M. Matshoba Call Me Not a Man 134‘Awu, they are going aboard already. So long, people.’ ‘Go well, Thandi.’
1982 M. Mzamane Children of Soweto 114‘And now we must be off. Remain well, granny.’ ‘Go well, my children.’
1989 J. Hobbs Thoughts in Makeshift Mortuary 197‘Go well, Mr Kimber,’ he says formally in Zulu. ‘Stay well, Mgwetshana Tshabalala.’
An expression of good wishes spoken upon parting by one staying behind to one leaving; hamba kahle, see hamba sense 2 a.
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19481989

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gousiekte, nounn.Gqunukhwebe, plural nounpl. n.
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