As summer begins to wind down I start seeing katydids on the porches, on the outside steps, and even on the cars. They are usually moving very slow and sometimes they aren’t moving at all.
It makes me sad to see them, but I know the farewell of katydids is a sign of the passing of summer to fall of the year.
Farewell
expression at parting, late 14c., from Middle English faren wel, verbal phrase attested by c. 1200 (see fare (v.) + well (adv.)); usually said to the departing person, who replied with good-bye. As a noun, “a good-bye, a leave-taking,” by early 15c. Expression to a fare-thee-well “to the last degree” is by 1884, American English.
I looked in the Dictionary of Southern Appalachian English to see if it had an entry for farewell. It had a few interesting ones.
- fare-thee-well: (also fare-you-well): to a finish, to perfection or completely.
- farewell: An aftertaste. “That barbecue has a real farewell of smoke to it.”
- farewell-summer: asters that bloom only weeks before frost
Fascinating entries! I’ve never heard any of them, but I do have asters blooming ever year in the weeks before the first frost arrives.
We’ve been pecking away at getting the last of the summer harvest from the garden in before cold weather. Yesterday as I was walking in the garden I felt something on my arm. The leaves are falling fast here and I thought it was a leaf but when I looked it was a katydid. It set patiently while I talked about it and got Matt to take a photo of it.
I said it set patiently, but the truth is it was plum wore out from singing me to sleep all summer. I teasingly told Matt it had come to tell me farewell.
I’ve heard people say farewell in movies and songs and I’ve seen it written in books about days gone by, but I’ve never actually heard anyone use it in every day conversation. It is a beautiful word even though it conveys a strong sense of bittersweetness.
Sometimes I come across a word in my reference books that I’d like to bring back into fashion. Farewell is one of them.
Last night’s video: First mess of Greens from the Fall Garden with Soup Beans, Cornbread, & Side Meat.
Tipper
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Tipper, thanks so much for posting a picture of the katydid. We hear what I think are katydids during the summer, but don’t recall ever seeing one. We live in the Piedmont part of NC. Yesterday my husband and I worked in our yard and saw what I now know was a katydid. It was sitting on one of our azalea bushs, not moving at all. It was such a vibrant green compared the azalea leaves that are much darker. I wouldn’t have noticed it at all if not for it’s beautiful color. Thank you for identifying for me.
Miss Tipper, my friend, I always think of the movie called “Farewell to Arms” when I hear the word farewell. Can’t remember if I’ve ever seen it though. What can I say, old age again. Love to y’all and Miss Louzine too.
I haven’t spotted a katydid for a good while. Out temps are cold at night but getting up to the 60’s during the day. It is gorgous fall weather. We know fall is here and winter is coming on because the honeybees are kicking the drones out of the hive. It seems a cruel but necessary activity for the hive to survive. They are the most interesting creatures for sure, and we enjoy sitting and watching them throughout the day. The grandkids are having fun gathering leaves and acorns and flowers to make some artwork later this afternoon. We’ll use paper plates and lots of glue to make their fall decorations. They all helped Pap plant three rows of garlic yesterday…So much fun playing in the dirt and feeling like big helpers.
I am so sorry Granny is feeling bad. I am praying for her daily that she will feel well for all the precious time she has left with y’all, and I hope it’s a good long while. Love, Brenda
Our summer is having a hard time saying ‘farewell’ as our weather and temperatures are fluctuating like a roller coaster – making one in a conundrum each day of trying to decide if it’s wooly socks or sandals. Farewell was quite common back in my day with the older generation but got laid by the wayside along the way. I like the one meaning you quoted Tipper: fare-thee-well: (also fare-you-well): to a finish, to perfection or completely. Granny comes to mind – she did run a good race and is finishing well. Bless her Father, in great comfort and peace – be gentle with her – and be with all her family as they surround her with love and caregiving. Love and hugs to you all.
Love the picture! It does make you think it was bidding you farewell. Oh, but they will be back next year.
I never said anything about it because I wasn’t sure, but I’m pretty sure I heard another one on your Monday live this week. But I think he was about tuckered out. I love to hear them in the summer and always listen for them when I go out of a night. But I haven’t heard any in the last few nights and I haven’t heard any jar flies in probably over a month.
The katydids must be as confused as I am about the summer heat we are still having on what is normally our first frost date. We had about a week of below-average temperatures in September, and the katydids must have thought it was time to say farewell, as I have not seen or heard any since then. The dreaded stink bugs have arrived in full force. Their presence means cold weather is coming, and they will invade your house to share the warmth.
The last time I heard someone use the word “farewell” was several months ago when we were leaving my daughter’s house after eating supper with her family. Her brother was there with our two youngest grandkids and the 7 year old boy declared “Farewell, Queen Mabel!” very dramatically. He was talking to the dog and nobody knows where the royal title came from, but we all call her that sometimes now.
I have heard people described as “dressed to a fare-thee-well”.
and
♫ Fare thee well, Old Joe Clark
Fare thee well, I say
Fare thee well, Old Joe Clark
I’m bound to go away. ♪♫
Well, the katydids here in S.E. Wisconsin are perched in odd places. I actually got to pet one the other day! It slowly moved away. I heard Ryan Hall say the other day that you all will experience much cooler temperatures in a few days. I thought of you getting your first seasonal set by the wood stove opportunity with a nice cuppa. Enjoy!
Ever since the old praying mantis BIT me, Im no longer interested in bugs. They seem sweet but I know ASIAN lady bugs bit me too and it HURT. So if Katydid (or didn’t,) I’m fine with them slowing down, dying of cold or burrowing for winter. There have been some cold mornings here in SW Va and I hear it’s dropping into 30’s come the end of the week. I’m waiting on my propane 500 pound tank to get set up which won’t be til Nov. 17, it like Murrman said, we been through hard and cold before so let’s get us some!!! I’m having a ball watching the boys behind me play every day. They raced a tractor and electric bike for two days and they smile and grin and work all day with their daddy. Those younguns have brought me a lot of joy as I watch them being boys and living the good life. I love the country and see there’s hope when I see the family happy and teaching their kids good stuff like working and playing and looking out for one another. Those boys have mowers, tools, tractors and told me “everything over here is for sale!” Lol The oldest boy is almost 16 and his brother is 8 and they are a joy and blessing to their parents and also to me as I watch them with a smile on my face and prayer for them all the days of their lives in my heart. God watch over Granny Luzine… she’s your precious baby girl, Lord Jesus.
I think I’ve heard and used Farewell in my younger years and mostly when something comes to an absolute end. I’ve heard it said when a relationship had ended and the person knows they will never see the other again. For example when a friend or relative moves to another part of the world and you know you’ll never see them again in person. I know it’s been said during a very bad break up that was so hurtful the person never wanted to see the other ever again. When I was younger I remember hearing it many times at funerals when people are saying their goodbyes to the deceased that was a nonbeliever in Jesus. Can’t say I’ve heard it said much since I’ve gotten older, but today’s post made me think it’s been a long time since hearing or using the word Farewell.
Like Christine, I’ve always considered “farewell” to be used to indicate permanent parting. I think I inferred that meaning from context. In my experience, folks use other words if they expect the parting to be less than permanent. For example, “so long”, “ta ta”, or even “good-bye” imply that there will be a future meeting.
I like the German, “auf wiedersehen”. That literally means “until I see you again”. I’ll have to dig up some of my German texts to find a word or phrase that conveys permanent separation.
Hi Tipper. I too love to hear katidids. They have just about stopped their singing in my area. I also love to hear the crows especially in Cades Cove. We used to take a picnic in my husbands truck and we would stop along a pull off in the cove and spread out a quilt for our picnic. The trees would be so beautiful and the sky would always be so blue. There would always be an ol crow flying over. Just a peaceful sound to me. We would usually hike up to Elijah Oliver’s cabin. One time, we were sitting on a big log out by the house and a ground hog came walking up to me, he stood up and wanted the RC cola can that I was holding. My husband said give it to him and he took it. We never feed the wildlife when we are in the mountains but this time I did. He turned it up!! My husband got a picture of him doing that. He soon dropped it and went on his way. I dad obviously he had done that before. We assumed that he might have lived under the cabin. We debated whether to send the picture to the RC drink company. We thought they might find it funny. I treasure those days in my memory. We were both still working at the time and we always looked forward to taking off for our “special Fall outing” as we called it. We would usually go by a garden nursery in our area and buy some mums and pumpkins and we would decorate our flower beds and yard with them when we got home.
My mother used to use the phrase, “fare-thee-well.” I’ve heard her say to me and my siblings when we were arguing with her about being able to go down the street to play with the neighbor kids, “I don’t care where you go in our yard, but you better not leave it or I’ll whoop your butts to a “fare-thee-well.” We knew she was really mad when she said that and we obeyed her. I haven’t heard the katydids lately, but the crickets are still at it. The evenings and morning have been chilly, and the trees are starting to turn color more, and it gets dark earlier.
Tricia I mentioned in my comment about parents whooping “(I spelled it with u) to a fare thee well. As far as I can tell it didn’t cause me or any other children I know mental problems. If we were smart we got educated. Sometimes when looking back I don’t think I was very smart. As leaving the yard, I know a boy that tells about leaving his yard to go play with his neighbor. He laughs and says I believe daddy gave me a lick on my butt for every step I took when he made me walk back home. He will add I never did that again without first asking.
Good morning Ms. Tipper. I enjoyed your post today. As always praying for Granny.
I agree. Farewell is the perfect word for this feeling as summer is left behind and winter looms ahead. It is bittersweet. Sounds silly, but I am always a little sad at the start of fall. Knowing spring will come again is what makes it ok. I guess I try to hang on to the good times even though I know time keeps slipping on through my fingers.
❤️ wishing everyone a beautiful fall day!
Tipper, that’s so interesting, and coincidental. Just yesterday I was talking to my oldest sister and she had mentioned doing something “to a fare thee well.” I made note of it because I hadn’t heard that phrase in a long time, but it was one she had used in the past. I really enjoyed hearing it again, and hearing the history of it.
That was one of my simple pleasures for the day.
I loved your post today. My dear late husband would often call me “his ladyship” and then I would reply back to him with “my lordship”. And so many times when I would leave the house for a grocery store trip, etc/. he would lovingly tell me, “Farewell, my ladyship” and then kiss the back of my hand. I love those fond memories of the fun we used to have together.
Praying for Granny each day & for all the family caretakers who surround her daily.
You don’t see many katydids around my home. I have noticed the wasp I see are moving kinda slow- a lot like me! The words “fare- thee- well” bring back memories to me and many other children of my generation. If we had behaved or done things many of things today’s children do at school, church or other places our parents would have whupped our butts to a “fare-thee-well.” The law would have been our best friends! Nowadays many parents will be looking for someone to sue if anyone try’s to discipline their children. I was a slow learner, I walked the aisle many Sundays at church, it was to the front door and not the alter, my friend laughs and tells about their mother bringing a hickory switch along with her Bible to church and leaving the switch by the front door.
I’ve been feeling fall coming on strong for about a week now. This year I feel a sadness about the coming Winter. Not debilitating, but it’s there. I. think fair well is a very fitting word.
Growing up in the late 60’s/early 70;s I have heard the phrase used as a lighthearted “goodbye”, though not too frequently. The origin, locally and in my time, possibly came from an old early American song we sang in 5th grade music class called Polly Wolly Doodle. I almost wish I had not read this article, as I will be singing that song in my head all-day-long. . The “line” from the song is; “Fare-thee-well my faire Faye” . As a note, I have heard people who were much older than me use it (one of my grandmothers). Naturally, I do not have a clue where they acquired the phrase.
Here is the link to Burl Ives’ version of the song on YouTube. Maybe ya’ll can sing along with me! LOL
https://youtu.be/decaQdaiWaU
“Fare-thee-well” was also used in the song “Old Joe Clark.” I well remember Burl Ives and his 1940s radio show, long before he appeared in movies. His theme song was “Wayfaring Stranger.”
Our katydids have been quiet for the last couple of weeks, but I occasionally find one here and there. I love their calls at night along with all of the other night bugs and animals that roam around our woods. I always miss this time of the year in summer which usually beings around my birthday in July and keeps going until the middle of September. Yes, I have it timed out from beginning to end!
Mornin’ Tipper. It is truly a farewell to summer as all the leaves scatter across the yard and road here in NE TN. I hope fall lingers like summer did. I still have tiny summer squash, tomatoes and zucchini. in my makeshift patch. I just dug a few holes in my yard this year that were barely bigger than the seedling plant roots from the nursery in town. The boy that did the weed-eater this year took out several of them along with my early June apple tree and 2 blueberry bushes. I mulched around them and even white wire fencing but he got them anyway. The good Lord saw fit to make what survived him abundant. I’m ever thankful for the roof over my head and the food in my belly. I’ve seen signs of the squirrels cracking the black walnuts on the big stone heart that washed down the creek from Iron Mountain in my back yard. None of my Beech trees have turned color yet and next week should be peak leaf looker season. I hope Matt builds you a fire soon, even if it is just to knock the chill off. I think it would perk you up. I’ll keep all the family on Wilson Hollow in my prayers. I love y’all. -Barbara