When did this practice change?

[Anita F. Henck]

Me: "Thank you"
Young person: "Not a problem"

What ever happened to "You're welcome"?

I've heard this more and more frequently in the last two years -- both coasts. Today, I got an email reply like that from a male colleague in his late 50s after I thanked him. So, it's jumped the generational divide!

It must be something in popular culture that affected this change. Can anyone figure out when/who started it?

[Mike Wooldridge]

Don't know but I bet it started on the "Left Coast." ;)

[Anita F. Henck]

Don't know but I bet it started on the "Left Coast." ;)

I dunno ... I heard it from the mid-Atlantic region (east coast) first

[Barb Bouldrey]

It has always bothered me to watch adults pick up the current fads in speech. Things like:

"NOT!"

"DUH!"

"MY BAD"

But everywhere you go, people pick up on the latest words to use. I hear people saying, "I have too much on my plate" and wonder where in the world that started? And the use of the word "mode" is so popular.

I wonder if "no problem" started in some popular movie.

Barb

[Joel Merrill]

Me: "Thank you"
Young person: "Not a problem"

What ever happened to "You're welcome"?

I've heard this more and more frequently in the last two years -- both coasts. Today, I got an email reply like that from a male colleague in his late 50s after I thanked him. So, it's jumped the generational divide!

It must be something in popular culture that affected this change. Can anyone figure out when/who started it?
I'm over 50 and I don't see any problem with that. Lots of times when someone thanks me, I say, "No problem." So maybe it started in the Midwest. You can take heart in knowing that my 2 year old grandson is real good about saying thank you and you're welcome.

Joel

[Gina Stevenson]

I'm over 50 and I don't see any problem with that. Lots of times when someone thanks me, I say, "No problem." So maybe it started in the Midwest. You can take heart in knowing that my 2 year old grandson is real good about saying thank you and you're welcome.

Joel

Good for Ethan, Grandpa! 'Bet Mama Leanne had something to do with that, no? ;)

[Wanda Van Winkle]

Me: "Thank you"
Young person: "Not a problem"

What ever happened to "You're welcome"?

I've heard this more and more frequently in the last two years -- both coasts. Today, I got an email reply like that from a male colleague in his late 50s after I thanked him. So, it's jumped the generational divide!

It must be something in popular culture that affected this change. Can anyone figure out when/who started it?

I'm not sure, but it could have come from some movie or something.

I've heard variations of it all my life, and I'm 50. "It was nothing." "Nothing to it." "Pas de quois." "No problemo." Could be from the higher influx of Spanish speaking people, shortened to "no problem."

Since language is living, it's no problem for me. ;-)

[Mark Doble]

It is an MSN Chat thingy... :laughing

[Dale Cozby]

I searched for the origin of this and here is what I found:

The phrase "no worries" is a common Swahili expression that when a person does you a favor you must repay them in some way and this was a way of releasing them from "worrying" about that obligation.

It entered into English through South Africa by the 1930's it had made its way to England. When it jumped the atlantic after WW2 ( being brought over by servicemen) it mutated to "no problem" "no sweat", "don't worry about it"

It became a slang way of expressing the original meaning in the 1960's and slowly has gained popularity since.

I grew up saying it....even though i was taught to say "Your welcome" too.

[Joel Merrill]

Since language is living, it's no problem for me. ;-)

I agree. Language is always changing. I would be more worried if people said nothing when you said thank you.

Joel

[Anne and Dwayne Hood]

As someone else said, We grew up saying You're welcome," but my dad, who was born in 1910, would say, "Much obliged."

We say "Excuse me," but my dad said, "Pardon" or "Pardon me, please."

And, on this board I have seen several things that I had not known, before.

We said "there" for over there-like not here. Many Naznetters say "their." The word"here" is in, the word "there. They would be opposites. The word "heir" is in the word "their."
It is over there, not here. Also, I teach him that "than, is a comparison, like "I like this house better "than" that house.
Then, I teach him-"Let's get this done, then, we will go shopping."
Like "When?" "Then."

There may be some more, but these are the ones that I never knew people used, the way they do, before joining Naznet.

On hee, we see the words typed, but in conversation, we don't.

I think that "No Problem" must have started after we married, at least in the areas, where I have lived. And, we will have been married 49 years next month.

[Cindi Hammons]

Anita,

Of course, much of our language (American English) is influenced by other languages such as Spanish. In Spanish, ones says "gracias," and the response is usually " esta bien," or "da nada." Da nada (it's nothing) sounds an awfull lot like, no problem. In fact, much to my shame, after taking several years of Spanish and living in Mexico City for several months, I don't even know how one says the words "you are welcome."

American English is such a "mutt" language! :)

[Genevieve Boller]

In fact, much to my shame, after taking several years of Spanish and living in Mexico City for several months, I don't even know how one says the words "you are welcome."

American English is such a "mutt" language! :)

There is no direct translation for "you're welcome" in Spanish. "Welcome" is only a noun (bienvenidos)--it can't be used as an adjective like it can be in English. :cool:

[John Kennedy]

And then there are those, possibly in a gesture to bilingualism/biculturalism, who say 'no problemo'.

[Karen Mercer]

Here in Australia people will often say "cheers" or "ta" instead of "thanks" which needs no response. Although I don't really think "thanks" needs a reply either. It's what the person
receiving something feels.

Instead of saying "your welcome" they say "no worries". I love that ~ no worries. It gives me the same nice feeling that they feel like they didn't mind the extra trouble they went to for me as hearing "it's my pleasure" gave me when I bought something from Chic fil a in Texas.

[Joel Merrill]

American English is such a "mutt" language! :)

Yep. That's also fonnicks doesn't work here. :basic05


jOeL :fav06

[Anne and Dwayne Hood]

Dwayne said that the Spanish people say, Nada, meaning nothing. That seems worse than "No problem," doesn't it? But, not to them.
Dwayne is explaining to me, how it sometimes does not work, if a councelor or warden says, "No problem." to a prisoner. If they are speaken to someone that works under their supervision, they no, that the Syoervior is agreeing that it is OK. But, to a prisoner, what they have ask about, may not be OK. They may want to be transferred to Nashville, put in confinement for their safety, or asking to be transferred to another pod, unit, or another cell. So, you can see how that would not be a good answer for them. I guess I would be much obliged, if I could do what I want to do. ha

[Cindi Hammons]

Anne,

Spanish speakers use "nada" as a shortened version of "da nada," which I mentioned above. It means, "it's nothing," or don't worry about it, no worries, no problem. The word may literally translate as "nothing," but the meaning is something else.

[John Kennedy]

I think the people in 'Joisey' have it right: "Fuggedaboudit".

[Jim Franklin]

Anita, from 1978 to 1981 I worked for a Jewish man, originally from the East, who was a WWII veteran, in his haberdashery, who when asked about an article of clothing always answered, "No Problem." It was the first time I had heard that expression used so I think he probably started it here in Boise. Tongue in cheek.

[Anita F. Henck]

Thanks to all who posted about the phrase "no problem" or da nada in Spanish. I was aware of that, after years of living in San Diego (somewhere in my youth and childhood).

It's the "not a problem" phrase that intrigued me. I assume it is a saying from a movie or something. Oh well ... not a big deal! Da nada!

I liked hearing the Aussie sayings, Karen. Thanks for sharing them! Still praying for you and your family.

[Gina Stevenson]

Yes, it does seem that wherever folks are, they appreciate hearing that the giver/doer of something good does not intend to keep them beholden [now, how's that for an antique/ancient word? :laughing], whether via, "no problemo," "de nada," whatever. ;)

[Jim Franklin]

So, Gina, the next question logically, is who started the use of the term "beholden?"

[Steven Martinez]

Anita,

Of course, much of our language (American English) is influenced by other languages such as Spanish. In Spanish, ones says "gracias," and the response is usually " esta bien," or "da nada." Da nada (it's nothing) sounds an awfull lot like, no problem. In fact, much to my shame, after taking several years of Spanish and living in Mexico City for several months, I don't even know how one says the words "you are welcome."

American English is such a "mutt" language! :)

I hate to nit pick, but it is "De Nada" not "da nada." The letter "E" in Spanish is pronouced like the long "A" in English as in the word "ate." If you are from Spain (like my grandparents) or Colombia then you pronouce the "D" as a "Th" and it sounds like "they natha" to an English speaker. The rough, literal translation of de nada into English would be "it is of nothing."

"your welcome" is a difficult translation for many languages. My wife and I are teaching our todler son sign language and we discovered that there is debate in the American Sign Language community over the sign for "your welcome." Traditionally the sign for "your welcome" is a thumbs up sign which is used to affirm a person's action like when some one gives you a thumbs up across the hall when you turned the radio down as an example. There are some who wish to use a different sign alltogether. They desire to use the "welcome" sign as in "Welcome to my home."

It seems to me the problem in our society is that people tend to be honest in that they are not delighted to do something for someone else, rather they do it because it required little trouble on their behalf and therefore it is not a problem for them.

[Wanda Van Winkle]

Thanks for correcting the "de nada."

By the way, it's actually "You're welcome," contraction for "you are," rather than a possessive "your" welcome, despite how often people type it wrong. Since you like to know the correct way... :)

[Gina Stevenson]

I hate to nit pick, but it is "De Nada" not "da nada." The letter "E" in Spanish is pronouced like the long "A" in English as in the word "ate." If you are from Spain (like my grandparents) or Colombia then you pronouce the "D" as a "Th" and it sounds like "they natha" to an English speaker. The rough, literal translation of de nada into English would be "it is of nothing."


Hey Steven! I'd already corrected it in my post above yours! Nearly had highlighted/underlined it, but didn't, thinking someone might think I was being picky. Thanks for highlighting it, since mine apparently didn't stand out enough to be noticed. ;)
"de nada,"

[Terri Knoll]

watching Blues Clues with my 2 year old granddaughter and mailbox just delivered a letter. Steve said "thank you" and mailbox answered "no problem".
I could hardly believe it...

[Ryan Scott]

I know I'm bringing up a thread that's too old, but I missed a week and I want to weigh in on this.

I stopped saying "you're welcome" intentionally during high school. It's been a very difficult process of unlearning something taught to me since I could speak. I just realized that "you're welcome" is meaningless. You're welcome to do what? It's just not a proper response to "thank you."

I say "no problem" because it conveys my sentiments in a way that makes sense. I've tried to convert anyone I can along the way; apparently there's been some success.

[Anne and Dwayne Hood]

Ryan, that is sort of funny. How is it easier to understand "no problem" than "you're welcome?"
Have you ever noticed how some from the sixties, sort of talk in codes? Dwayne was conversing with a prof a few years ago, and whatever he was saying, did not make any sense. Dwayne told him that he wanted him to speak plain English with him. Our daughter was born in 1961. She said, at that time, that some people around that age, talked that way. This was about 10-12 years ago.

[Ryan Scott]

Well, can someone tell me what "you're welcome" to do? You're welcome only means something to people because they grew up saying, but the actual words "you're welcome" don't mean anything in response to "thank you."

I'll switch between saying "no problem" and "don't worry about it," but you're right, maybe they too will be archaic in 50 years.

I'm still interested to know where "you're welcome" got started and what it meant originally.

[Anita F. Henck]

Well, can someone tell me what "you're welcome" to do? You're welcome only means something to people because they grew up saying, but the actual words "you're welcome" don't mean anything in response to "thank you."


Good question. So, the researcher in me went looking. Here's what I found at http://www.takeourword.com/Issue071.html. I don't know how solid the website is, but it seems accurate, based on the origin of some other words about which I had more knowledge.

==
The phrase you're welcome, as a response to thank you, dates only from the early part of the 20th century. The first record of it is in W. W. Jacobs' Short Cruises: "'Thank you,’ said the girl, with a pleasant smile. ‘You’re quite welcome,’ said the skipper." This usage popped up so late because welcome meant "well come" (i.e., one's arrival was pleasing) prior to that time, and that was broadened to include such meanings as "pleasing" or "acceptable". That group of meanings, however, arose in Middle English due to the influence of Old French bien venu, "welcome" (literally, "well come"). In Old English, welcome, which had the form wilcuma, meant "one whose coming is pleasing" or applied to someone who was "acceptable as a visitor". It was formed from wil- or will- "will, desire" and cuma "comer, guest".

The sense in you're welcome is one of "it was pleasing to me to do" whatever it was that you were thanked for.

===
Aren't you glad you asked, Ryan? :)

[Doug Cousins]

It seems to me there could be a subtle difference between the two responses. 'You're welcome' would seem to imply that I recognize I didn't have to do what you thanked me for but was pleased to be able to do something extra on your behalf. 'Not a problem' might suggest that I'm more interested in letting you know that it really wasn't any extra effort on my part and therefore, no 'Thank you' was necessary.

Doug.

[Gina Stevenson]

Actually, before seeing Anita's research re someone's "coming" being considered a "well(good)" thing, I was going to reply to Mr. Scott this

It's not quite "You're welcome" (permitted?) to do the "what?" which he asked about, but that what's been done/given/offered/whatever for which "thanks" has been offered is being acknowledged as something for which the giver/doer gave/did gladly ... in a "well (that you did) come" manner. It's letting the receiver know it was not done grudgingly, but joyfully, perhaps ... "Glad you came by (aligning w/Anita's research) so that I could give/do this to/for you" ... ? ;)

[Glenda Harvey]

I was at a restaurant by myself not too long ago and I said something that the waitress apparently agreed with. She responded with "WORD!" I have to admit that it bothered me a bit.

[Ryan Scott]

I was at a restaurant by myself not too long ago and I said something that the waitress apparently agreed with. She responded with "WORD!" I have to admit that it bothered me a bit.


That's about as strong an agreeance as you can get in modern vernacular; you should be honored.

[Ryan Scott]

Thanks for the responses, although even with those explanations, it still doesn't make sense as a response for thank you.

[Glenda Harvey]

That's about as strong an agreeance as you can get in modern vernacular; you should be honored.

I can't really say it bothered me as much as it surprised me, being at a fairly nice restaurant and hearing it from the waitress to someone my age.

[Gina Stevenson]

I was at a restaurant by myself not too long ago and I said something that the waitress apparently agreed with. She responded with "WORD!" I have to admit that it bothered me a bit.

Glenda, you can tell you're in SoCal ... unless I've been sheltered, it's not yet made it here to Michigan. ;) [of course, I've been basically hibernating the lst couple of weeks here ... and shall be tomorrow, it appears ... now they've adjusted their prediction to possibly -25 windchills, with temps in low single digits [seen at 11pm]. The arctic is supposed to descend upon us, with high winds/blowing snow, tonight.

Dang! I miss that desert! :cool: