@Misanthrope wrote:
I admit I do have a tendency to use somewhat odd or even archaic language; I've had more than a few editors ask me to define a word (My first ever mystery shop for a large MSC came back to me because the editor needed me to elaborate on what I meant with "I was not bade farewell."
I totally agree with what you are saying and it would probably irritate me, too, to be asked to define something I wrote in a report. But, although I agree, I'm sorry, but "I was not bade farewell." totally perplexes me. Just to satisfy my curiosity, could you define it? Sorry, I am not meaning to be snarky or irritate you.
Does it mean the person did not say goodbye? Or does it mean they did not say thank you and hurry back? Or does that mean they did not say anything? What did they do? Did they just turn their back and walk away from you? Had you already explained that he said thank you and hurry back but then he did not say goodbye?
btw, at one of the Whole Foods I shop my favorite cashier always closes our transaction with "Farewell, smooth sailing til we meet again, hopefully soon, hopefully at Whole Foods Market!" He delivers the line with a straight face and a lot of enthusiasm. Sorry, it just tickles me and your post brought it to mind.