Wotcher WAS How Many DEs Left? Was:Dark SHIPS ( was Re: Possession)

[bluesqueak]

No: HPFGUIDX 90929


> Sawsan now:
> Ok thanks Siriusly Snapey Susan, but one question, what does what
> cheer as a phrase mean? I always thought she meant watch out or 
> watch yourself or whats up or something. BUt what is what cheer? 
> how is it used? is it similar to any american saying? 

Pip!Squeak:

It's 'cheer' in the sense of 'cheer up', or 'be cheerful'. The 
extremely old fashioned phrase 'Be of good cheer' is also the same 
sort of sense. And saying 'cheers' when you raise a glass *isn't* 
shorthand for 'cheering loudly because I've finally got a drink' 
[grin]. It's a wish that your fellow drinkers will be happy.

So 'cheer' is happy, optimistic. 'What cheer' means 'What's 
happening that's good?' 

Personally, I think 'Wotcher' is a phrase Tonks has picked up from 
her muggle-born dad, as it isn't used much these days. She's trying 
to be muggleish, but using out-of-date slang because the WW is so 
separate from the muggle world. Nowadays, it's more normal to 
use 'cheers', mostly as slang for 'thank-you', or 'good-bye'.

Pip!Squeak