March 5, 2009
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The Horror That Is “Best”
Dear Natalia,
xkjcfoj sdjfosijk ifjsdoji fvksjoiaj dfsdlkjfsd;lkfjdga gjwseoisfdjoviasjfgkdaf jgxcm,vskajaoierusd. SJekfkd? Ksdfjd.
Best,
So-And-So“Best” is the worst way ever to end an email. It’s like a verbal punch in the larynx. “Cordially” comes in a distant second, as it only makes me think of ice cream (more specifically, this kind) and “take care,” the third worst, just makes me think I need to look out for oncoming traffic or something.
I vastly prefer “sincerely,” “kthxbye,” “your pal” or “thanks!” if I am feeling particularly bitchy. This site has a bunch of semi-useful but more hilarious closing remarks, and this one takes a more sarcastic approach. Whatever floats your boat, I guess.
What’s your email signoff of choice? Which one would you hate to get?
Also, what does “best” mean, anyway?
Comments (34)
I absolutely hate when people say Peace. No name just peace. for some reason it irks me. I just say sincerely usually.
Great, I sound bitchy then. I end most of my work emails with “Thanks!”
“Hi Matilda,
Can you get me the name of a patient I can interview about their heart attack? I need it ASAP. Thanks!”
Depending on who I am sending an email to, thank you for your time, best regards, from etc
The one I would hate to get are two words and is a small phrase first one starts with F and the last letter of the second word ends in F.
I think “Best” is the lazy way of implying “wishing you all the best”.
I don’t know that I have a standard sign off. I do say thanks quite often.
I usually just end with something I really mean.
I’m glad you are here.
Old Hat
@wherethefishlives - well, it depends. are you actually thankful or are you just looking for a way to finish your email so you can do other stuff? i fall into the latter category but you may be in the former.
@Natalia - I find it to be the quickest way to show my actual appreciation instead of having to type, “I would appreciate it so much, truly!”
Natalia,
You sound frustrated today.
Cheers,
Matthew
I’m pretty sure in your case it meant YOU’RE THE BEST!!
Natalia,
I am a faithful reader, as indicated by my sign-off, and not a person incapable of motion, as might be implied by my sign-off.
Still ~ Joy
I always took it to mean “wishing you the best”. I rather like it actually. I usually end my correspondence with either “cheers” or “best” nowadays. “Sincerely” sounds very generic and formal to me. It’s a closing that I reserve for letters to my boss, professors, etc.
Ciao = euro pretense… L8r = hacker pretense… TTFN = Tigger-ishness… [depending on the relationship] XOXO or MWA… I usually keep a sig file handy – lately it has been, “They may not remember what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” It used to be a Shakespeare quote, “Do not fear greatness. Some are born great, others achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them,”
The mood can also impact on my closing comments as well.
TTFN… ahhhhh
I like “best” when I’m trying my best to restrain myself and not tear the person’s head off.
I think when someone says that, they’re saying that they’re the best. Ex:
Sam,
I hope that you have a great time over in New York. But why can’t I come too?!
Best,
Dana
What the writer is really saying (in my opinion) is:
Sam.
I hope that you have a great time over in New York. But why can’t I come too?!
I am the best,
Dana
This is just my opinion, so if you have any objections, go ahead and say so.
@Queen_of_You188 - actually, it might mean that they wish you the best. Not exactly sure.
I put “sincerely”
I just say “Out”
Thank you or regards for business. Cheers for non-business emails.
for me it varies by situation…
usually i close with “In Jesus” when i’m writing personal letters. for professional/formal ones, it’s “Sincerely” or “Thanks (again)”… and because i’m in a musical organization, all letters of that nature go out with “Yours in Song” or “Ringing Radiantly” (it’s a handbell group)…
but yes, “Best” is what drives me bonkers!
Best = Best wishes? I honestly have never seen it being used before
I like it when people use “Cheers”, though.
huXwha rye ughhhhhhh *P*
@greygeek - better yet, just put a “wonderful thing about tiggers” wav link that autoplays when they get to the end of the email. epic win
I’m guessing that “Best” is just a shortened form of “Best Wishes.” As for my own email ending, I usually drop down two or three lines after the message and simply type my name, proceeded by a couple of hyphens.
– Johnny
@YuetMooNEvelyN - But wouldn’t it be more interesting if they ended it with “Bull & Finch”?
I usually say “Thanks, Laura” or “Always, Laura” but I’ll openly admit that I never thought all that much about it until now…
My email sig:
–
Enter a signature to append at the end of all outgoing messages.
do you approve of “cheers”?
btw i skimmed thru the first episode of americanexttopmodel of the latest season and… a lot screaming going on. screams of joy, surprise, horror and etc.
a drinking game could be made of this.
but boy oh boy, hide the pet, namely the dogs, the screaming will drive them nuts.
My departure is always
Valedictions,
-Seth
hi dear Natalia,
I am r.k.sundararajan.
nice to view about you at your profile. it is very good.
looking for your friendship. please.
with love r.k.sundararajan rksr3333@yahoo.com
@Natalia - TTFN
I tend to sign off with a moderately appropriate, “Sincerely, your erotic lover,” for all circumstances. I find it provides the best results. In fact, it’s actually how I achieved my previous job. It’s also how I lost that job, in the same email.
Ah, that reminds me. Writing that is a terrible idea, especially on business documents and letters to the grandparents. I guess, in the end, listening to any advice I give is a moderately ignorant action to take.
Moral of the story:
I’m bad at remembering things in the correct order.
Really??? I do this all. the. time.
uh oh.. now you have me worried.
I also go for Kind regards,.. quite often.
I simply sign them Ang… sometimes Your Friend Ang… but only if I’m writing to my friend…
I got into the habit of saying, “Blessings,” at the end of my e-mails and letters. To be honest, i don’t know if that’s bad – or good. I always thought it a good thing…maybe I should re-think.